BRAZZAVILLE — Under the firm and consistent leadership of President Denis Sassou-N’Guesso, the Republic of Congo is waging a determined and multifaceted battle against crime, establishing public safety and national stability as absolute priorities of government action. This ambitious strategy, deployed on all fronts, aims to create an environment of lasting peace for citizens and to consolidate the foundations of the rule of law.
The head of state personifies this commitment, giving sustained attention to security matters. He regularly leads working meetings with law enforcement officials, instilling a doctrine of “zero tolerance” towards organized crime, while working towards the essential rapprochement between security services and the population.
A Modernized Police Force for Contemporary Challenges
At the heart of this transformation, the comprehensive reform of the national police force constitutes a major pillar. This modernization involves significant technological and equipment upgrades, the introduction of digital management and surveillance systems, and a substantial strengthening of the professional training of officers. Concurrently, the improvement of service conditions and social guarantees for law enforcement personnel helps revitalize this elite corps.
Restoration of State Authority and Securing the Territory
On the ground, the results are tangible. In the Pool department and other regions previously plagued by insecurity, joint operations conducted by the army, police, and security services have led to the neutralization of illegal armed groups and the full restoration of state authority. The securing of strategic roadways has restored fluidity and safety to trade and travel.
National border protection is under heightened vigilance. Border checkpoints are being modernized, equipped with biometric control systems, while patrols are intensified. This perimeter security is accompanied by enhanced cooperation with neighboring countries to more effectively counter cross-border crime.
Combating Economic Crime and Securing the Digital Space
The conflict also extends to the economic sphere, with the creation of specialized units dedicated to fighting corruption, illicit capital flows, smuggling of natural resources, and money laundering. In response to the rise of virtual threats, the newly established National Agency for Combating Cybercrime protects critical infrastructure, tracks online fraud, secures digital transactions, and conducts specialized investigations.
Prevention, Reintegration, and International Cooperation
The Congolese strategy refuses to limit itself to a purely repressive response. In cities, the “Safe City” program is being deployed, combining an increased presence of patrols, the deployment of video surveillance, the creation of emergency centers, and the development of preventive actions. A major legal reform supports these efforts, increasing penalties for serious crimes, simplifying investigation procedures, and strengthening the independence of the judiciary.
Aware that security also depends on inclusion, the state has implemented reintegration programs offering vocational training, psychological support, and employment assistance for former members of criminal groups. In parallel, sports and youth initiatives, support for vulnerable populations, and legal education programs aim to cut off the sources of delinquency at their root.
This national action is part of a dynamic framework of international cooperation with Interpol, Central African regional security bodies, and numerous partner countries, fostering a fruitful exchange of intelligence and a coordinated fight against transnational organized crime.
Encouraging results and clear prospects
The fruits of this comprehensive policy are beginning to be harvested. Authorities are recording a significant drop in violent crimes and a clear improvement in the clearance rate for serious criminal cases, contributing to the restoration of Congolese citizens’ trust in their security institutions.
Looking towards the future, the government is considering the continued digitalization of policing, the creation of a unified national criminal database, the development of cutting-edge forensic laboratories, and a deepening of international cooperation.
Under the leadership of President Denis Sassou-N’Guesso, the fight against insecurity in Congo stands as a permanent undertaking, resolutely combining firmness, modernization, social prevention, and cooperation. This resolutely multidimensional approach charts a path toward a consolidated public order, an essential condition for the development and well-being of all citizens.