Senate Calls for Continuation of Security Operations
On October 15 in Brazzaville, the Senate President opened the 2026 budget session by highlighting public security, urging the government to institutionalize the ongoing police operation against youth groups commonly known as “black babies.”
His appeal, welcomed by the upper house, follows a series of security operations led by the Ministry of Interior since August that reportedly reduced street crime in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire by nearly 30%.
The Senate President warned that the gang phenomenon is “as shocking as it is intolerable” because it signals a deeper erosion of social ties, parental authority, and prevention structures—issues the Senate believes must be addressed alongside police actions.
Social Roots and Rights Guarantees
The Senate’s statement echoes observations from civil society organizations noting that adolescents drawn to kuluna groups often cite unemployment and school dropout as triggering factors.
The Interior Minister promised to maintain 24-hour patrols while emphasizing that arrests would “strictly respect the law and dignity of every suspect,” a message aimed at reassuring human rights organizations.
Security forces launched Operation Mbata Ya Bakolo in 2015, targeting similar gangs, but analysts indicate current deployments are more effective, combining plainclothes intelligence with mobile judges who can validate custody within 48 hours.
Budgetary Issues and Youth Opportunities
Beyond repression, senators urged the Ministries of Education and Youth to accelerate promised vocational programs in the 2022-2026 National Development Plan, stating that training in construction, digital trades, and agriculture could absorb thousands of at-risk youth.
The Education Committee Chair told journalists that “schools cannot function as oases in a desert of violence” and requested an audit of guidance counselors in public secondary schools to ensure early detection of student radicalization.
Economic pressures remain central to the debate. Estimates indicate 46% of Congolese under 25 are unemployed or underemployed—a pool from which gang recruiters draw. Senators insisted the 2026 budget protect funding for youth entrepreneurship windows in local development funds.
Community Voices and Judicial Follow-up
Community leaders in Moungali state police presence has restored evening commerce along Peace Avenue but fear this calm will disappear once operations end. “We need permanent neighborhood surveillance with official support,” said a mediator coordinator.
A human rights lawyer praised the crackdown but emphasized necessary safeguards. He noted that since September, Brazzaville courts have processed 214 cases under accelerated procedure, with 43 minors sent to Nganga-Lingolo youth center where psychosocial teams were strengthened.
Within the chamber, debate quickly turned to funding. Finance Ministry projections show 2.5 trillion CFA francs in expenditures next year, anchored on petroleum revenues.