A groundbreaking audit has exposed a major discrepancy within the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s national police force. Out of 157,886 officers officially listed, 63,817 are either fictitious or inactive, according to government findings. This revelation drastically reduces the number of active officers, pushing the police-to-population ratio to dangerously low levels and raising serious concerns about the country’s security capabilities.
The authorities have launched an extensive verification campaign, requiring officers to undergo biometric registration. The initiative will commence in Kinshasa before expanding to the remaining 25 provinces. The goal is to establish a secure, centralized database that eliminates duplicate registrations, fraudulent appointments, and ghost officers. This effort also aims to streamline salary disbursements, recruitment processes, and career advancements within the force.
Addressing a financial and security crisis
Investigations reveal that these irregularities have cost the national treasury between $99.8 million and $233 million annually in wasted expenditures. The audit findings are part of a broader reform initiative funded by a $2.55 billion budget allocated through 2030. The modernization plan includes plans to recruit and train 90,000 new officers, restructure security institutions, and strengthen public trust in policing.
The overhaul comes at a critical time, as insecurity surges in Kinshasa. Residents report an alarming increase in armed robberies, kidnappings, and violent assaults. In response, President Félix Tshisekedi has ordered intensified crackdowns on criminal networks while accelerating security sector reforms to bolster the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies.
