Kinshasa: Estimated 15% reduction in crime rate in one municipality

 Kinshasa, August 13^th, 2025 (CPA).- The reduction in the rate of urban crime in Kisenso, a municipality located in the centre of the city of Kinshasa, capital of the Republic of the Congo, is estimated at 15%, the municipal authority has indicated to the CPA on Wednesday. « Kisenso is no longer a red zone. This municipality, once seen as a red zone in Kinshasa due to high levels of insecurity, has seen its crime rate drop significantly. The crime rate is now estimated at 15%, a clear improvement compared to the critical situation I found when I first arrived, » has said Godé Athswel, burgomaster of the municipality of Kisenso. ‘We fought as one against this phenomenon,’ he has added, referring to his unwavering personal commitment, which required him to work until 2 a.m., leading manhunts in the ravines alongside his police force. The burgomaster has encouraged the work of the law enforcement agencies, which are often criticized. ‘Many people constantly insult the police, but they are also on the right side and they follow their leader, who is me,’ he has emphasized, highlighting the close collaboration with police commanders in the field. « The fight against insecurity has required appropriate strategies, given the lack of resources and manpower. People have said there was a problem with manpower and resources. I had more or less 80 police officers for an area of 16.6 km², so I had to be creative, in particular by compiling a list of the names of the Kuluna and their parents in order to carry out targeted actions in each neighborhood, » he has said. ‘The results of our efforts are visible and have transformed the daily lives of the inhabitants. Travel is once again possible, and families can visit each other without fear. Today, weddings are celebrated in our municipality and people can walk around freely (…)’, has continued Mr. Athswel. The burgomaster has expressed his love for his municipality, where he himself lives. He has revealed that improved living conditions are now encouraging friends who had fled to safer municipalities to return and build their homes there. Kisenso became a municipality on December 20^th, 1968, and has a population of 540,000 inhabitants over an area of 16.6 km², it is noted. ACP/