The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is confronting an unprecedented challenge within its national police force. A government-conducted audit has exposed a staggering discrepancy: 63,817 of the 157,886 officially registered police officers are either ‘fictitious’ or ‘inactive.’ This revelation significantly reduces the number of active officers, pushing the police-to-citizen ratio to levels deemed inadequate for the country’s pressing security demands.

In response, authorities have initiated a sweeping verification campaign. This involves physical checks of officers and the issuance of biometric identification cards. The initiative will commence in Kinshasa before expanding to the remaining 25 provinces. The dual purpose is to establish a secure database, eliminate duplicate registrations and ghost employees, and streamline salary management, recruitment, and promotions.

Police officers in Kinshasa during a February 2025 parade. © HARDY BOPE / AFP

Security reform amid rising crime concerns

According to the audit, these irregularities represent an annual financial drain of between $99.8 million and $233 million for public coffers. The reform aligns with a broader police modernization initiative slated through 2030, backed by a $2.55 billion budget. Key objectives include recruiting and training 90,000 new officers, restructuring security institutions, and strengthening ties between police and communities.

This crackdown comes as public anxiety over insecurity escalates, particularly in Kinshasa. Residents report a surge in armed robberies, kidnappings, and violent assaults. President Félix Tshisekedi has instructed the government to escalate efforts against criminal networks while advancing reforms to enhance the effectiveness of security forces.

By Boureima Amadou — Reporter