Tshopo Governor Orders End Military Harassment at Roadblocks

• Tshopo Governor Paulin Lendongolia ordered military officials to cease harassment and extortion at provincial road checkpoints on September 2 in Kisangani.
• The directive was issued during the opening of the first monthly public hearings initiated by the provincial executive.
• The governor acknowledged the necessity of security checkpoints for controlling movements and preventing armed group infiltration, especially near conflict zones.
• He emphasized that these operations must be limited to security control and cannot be used as a pretext for extorting road users.
• Military commanders are mandated to identify and sanction personnel who engage in practices contrary to these instructions.

The governor unequivocally stressed that these security operations must remain strictly confined to their intended purpose of control and surveillance.

Tshopo Governor Paulin Lendongolia has issued a clear directive to military officials, demanding an immediate cessation of harassment and extortion targeting individuals at road checkpoints throughout the province. This significant order, delivered on Wednesday, September 2, from Kisangani, aims to curb reported abuses by security personnel. The governor's intervention underscores a commitment to protecting citizens from illicit practices at these crucial transit points.

This directive emerged during the inaugural session of monthly public hearings, an initiative recently launched by the provincial executive. The setting for this announcement highlights a broader effort to foster transparency and accountability within the regional administration, directly addressing concerns raised by the populace regarding the conduct of security forces at various checkpoints.

While firmly addressing the issue of military harassment, Governor Lendongolia acknowledged the legitimate need for security checkpoints within the Tshopo province. He recognized that certain barriers, some of which are erected spontaneously, play a vital role, particularly in regions adjacent to areas experiencing armed conflicts. These control points are intended to enable security forces to monitor movements effectively and to preempt potential infiltrations by armed groups, thereby safeguarding provincial stability.

However, the governor unequivocally stressed that these security operations must remain strictly confined to their intended purpose of control and surveillance. He explicitly warned that such operations must not be exploited as a justification for extorting money from road users. The directive aims to eliminate the pervasive problem of Tshopo roadblocks extortion, ensuring that security measures do not become a burden or a source of illegal revenue for personnel.

To ensure compliance with his order, Governor Lendongolia has called upon military commanders to actively identify and impose sanctions on any personnel found engaging in practices that contravene the instructions issued. This demand for internal accountability is a critical component of the broader effort to reform the conduct of security forces and to eradicate instances of DRC security checkpoints abuse.

The governor's directive is intrinsically linked to the provincial executive's new program of monthly public hearings. These Kisangani public hearings directives are designed to create a direct channel for citizens to present their grievances and difficulties to the authorities. This initiative, according to Lendongolia, is crucial for ensuring that the administration can respond effectively to the problems and harms experienced by the public, fostering a more responsive and responsible governance structure.

This directive from the Tshopo Governor provides a legal basis for challenging illegal demands at military checkpoints, offering recourse for individuals and businesses subjected to extortion. Lawyers should advise clients on their rights and the avenues for reporting abuses, particularly those operating supply chains through the province.

Source: Original reporting via Radio Okapi