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BREAKING THE VIOLENCE CYCLE: NATIONAL SERVICE AS A PATH TO REGAIN DIGNITY FOR KULUNA IN KINSHASA

by Reagan Baseya Mbungu updated on March 1, 2024

For nearly two decades, Kinshasa has been a battleground for increased criminality led by those commonly known as “Kulunas”, who trouble peaceful citizens by continually threatening, beating up, robbing, or raping them.Citizens end up losing their money, cell phones, bags and other valuables, as onlookers and the city’s security agents watch helplessly. 

Indeed, the victimized population continues to complain daily about these criminal acts committed on them, which often go unpunished in the eyes of the law and also by police who  fail to ensure their safety , and it is alleged that some members of the police even ally themselves with the perpetrators to terrorize them and themselves profit from the atrocious acts committed on them. The population lives in constant fear, as the protectors also become associates of the Kulunas, due to the lack of resources provided to the national police force. 

In recent years, however, the government has been implementing measures to end this chaos, opting for the option of collectively rounding up all Kulunas judged guilty in the capital and throughout the republic, to rehabilitate and integrate them into the national service to work in the plantations and other services. This initiative is still not considered “effective” by the population, compared to operations “Likofi” and “Ingeta”, which are government actions launched between 2013 and 2014 in Kinshasa by the Congolese National Police (PNC) and the Republic’s intelligence service, to combat all other forms of urban crime in the city. Deemed “murderous” in a report published by Human Right Watch, these operations, during which at least 51 young men and boys were shot dead, and 33 others disappeared. In Kinshasa it seemed to have calmed the situation by its brutal characteristics putting the “big wolves” represented by the Kulunas in a hunted position, making them understand that they could suffer just like the desperate population. The hunter had become the hunted, spreading fear amongst the criminal gangs. 

From this national service, which began in 2020, we have seen an evolution in terms of social rehabilitation and change with some of the urban delinquents who took part in the first waves, who on their return have not relapsed into their previous criminal behavior, , but rather have found in this journey a new vocation for changing their lives. These changes in attitude lead us to wonder whether this really might not be the long-awaited and effective means of eradicating the known violence that has gone on too long, while respecting human rights and the laws of DRC. 

 

 

Bars without bounce: Non-compliance in prisons 

The reintegration of the former kulunas into society is part of a wider initiative launched by President Félix Tshisekedi to revive the National Service, created in 1997 by the former President of the Republic, M’zee Laurent Désiré Kabila. At the time of its creation, this service was intended to engage young graduates and unemployed volunteers in learning various trades and to strengthen their sense of patriotism, but since 2020 this service has been extended to include incarcerated people, to allow them to be useful to society after non-positive returns from their transfer  to military prisons in the interior of the country, notably Buluwo in Haut Katanga and Angenga, to avoid overcrowding in Kinshasa’s main prisons and introduce better discipline.  

For Buluwo, the problems are serious deficiencies in food, hygiene, and health care, turning the prison into a veritable death trap. In the dungeons, cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment and even torture are commonplace. It is very likely that the situation is even worse in these almost inaccessible and uncontrolled places, like the many illegal or clandestine places of detention throughout the DRC. 

Considering these conditions, the optional solution of the moment to meet these challenges was to find a place that could accommodate the kulunas to give them a second chance and thus the possibility of regaining their dignity and contributing to the development of certain sectors in the DRC, which will benefit their own personal development at the same time, as the main prisons in Kinshasa, namely “makala and ndolo”, are no longer authorized to hold prisoners, leading to their release and thus enabling the continuity of terror on the population. The Makala central prison has around ten thousand inmates, whereas it was built to accommodate a maximum of 1,500 prisoners, and the Ndolo military prison currently has 2,000 inmates, whereas it was built to accommodate a maximum of 500 prisoners, demonstrating once again the exacerbated rate of criminality in the city of Kinshasa alone. 

The government-approved “Kanyama Kasese” facility in Haut-Lomami province serves as a re-education and vocational training center for convicted offenders, as well as for volunteers ready to contribute to the advancement of certain sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, health, etc… The kulunas sent there are thus given the opportunity to serve their sentences while regaining their dignity through the training provided. 

“Kanyama Kasese” could prove to be the ideal establishment to support reintegration and ensure a climate of safety and tranquility in the town and, also in the whole country in the long term. In view of all this, wouldn’t establishing facilities like Kanyama Kasese be more appropriate? 

 

 

Strengthening the potential of national service centers 

The setting up and expansion of facilities such as Kanyama Kasese, specialized in the rehabilitation of offenders in the country’s various provinces, could play a crucial role in eradicating this phenomenon. 

Facilities like Kanyama Kasese with the right standards and conditions will offer a structured environment and rehabilitation programs that aim to transform offenders’ behavior, helping them to reintegrate into society in a positive way by giving them new life directions equipped with the necessary tools through a diversification of training in different sectors. By investing not only in the construction of more centers across the country, but also in the diversification of training, the Congolese government could extend their reach and impact, reaching a greater number of young people at risk. 

This is proving to be an innovative alternative to traditional incarceration as these facilities will focus on rehabilitation and social reintegration, helping to break the cycle of delinquency and violence driven by lack of education and increased unemployment. By offering offenders opportunities for vocational training, education, and psychological support to understand their liabilities and needs for appropriate redirection, these kulunas will be given a second chance to become productive members of society and truly perpetuate the “nation builders” series launched since the transfer of the first wave of prisoners in 2020. 

“Nation Builders” refers to the evocation of waves of inmates sent from the Kanyama Kasese facility, currently celebrating its fourth year of operation. Over 1,600 Kulunas have been transformed into nation builders, receiving their certificates on April 13, 2024, after two years of training. These individuals are now ready to contribute to the reconstruction of the Kintambo general hospital and to take part in the manufacture of benches for schools in a large workshop set up in N’sele. The departure of 350 other Kulunas from Kinshasa for national service followed their return, with a list of 2000 Kulunas awaiting trial to join them shortly. This reflects the government’s commitment, however, given the growing number of Kulunas’ activities in Kinshasa, investing in more facilities in the various provinces would enable us to combat these acts of violence more effectively. This proactive and lasting approach is essential to counter these problems and promote national security.

Africa, the cradle of humanity, a land that stirs the soul with its mystic allure. My soul chose to be born in a land where golden savannahs stretch far and wide. A land where one can witness the plains come alive with the rhythmic footsteps of herds embarking on their breath-taking migration in a timeless display of resilience and unity. A country that holds beauty, that enchants the senses and ignites wonder.

My land, my motherland Kenya. Born into a Kenyan family of Asian descent, a family that has lived and breathed Kenya and Africa for previous 5 generations, I can only identify as a Kenyan, a proud 6th generation African. Brought up in a family where ‘Being Human’ was the main principal belief. We have been raised with values that don’t differ greatly from those of the thousands of tribes that make up Africa – roots, heritage, family, faith, morals, principles and more.

Many years ago, I stood on stage at a speech writing contest in High School, where I described the strategy behind Muhamad Ali’s glorious win where he “floated like a butterfly, and stung like a bee” against George Foreman, in the fight forever known as the ‘Rumble in the Jungle.’ Years later, never even in my wildest imagination, did I imagine I would be living in the very ‘jungle’ itself, and working in the world of strategic storytelling and encouraging the amplification of Congolese voices and narratives far and wide across the globe from the heart of Africa.

Congo or as it was then called Zaire, a land that was stamped in the memory of the World as the place where Ali fought Foreman and caused a mighty Rumble in the boxing world. A battle that was immortalised in the song ‘In Zaire’ sung by Johnny Wakelin. Congo was a land everyone wanted to know about.

A land that is endowed with all the riches known to mankind. A blessed land, with a rich cultural heritage and a teeming, deserving population. A land sadly destroyed by its colonial past. Which, since its independence, is slowly trying to attain its rightful place in the World. It is here that I arrived five years back.

As I look back on my first five years of living in the Democratic Republic of Congo, there have been moments of floating and very often, little stings. I moved to Kinshasa for love. In the beginning, I can honestly admit, it was not love for the city or the country or the people – I didn’t know enough about this 

ginormous country and the 100+ million people that fill its borders – it was personal love. But five years later, I never thought I could love a country and its people as though they were mine. That love comes from the heart that feels the mystic rhythm of the African land, and I couldn’t be prouder to call it home.

You can never shake the ancient dust of Africa off your boots – no matter how far and wide you travel.

Having lived in London for thirteen years followed by a few years in the Middle East, returning to Africa was natural. 

The love for Africa always remains in the soul. Living in the heart and soul of Central Africa, has been an adventure.

The narratives that have filled Western Media have sung a different song for many years, call it geo-politics, strategic positioning, economic control, all things aside, the story of the Congo has never really been told loudly by the Congolese themselves. From the outside looking in, the perceptions are dotted and plagued with negativity, but on the ground, the beating hearts of the Congolese are rumbling a little louder day by day towards progress, and it’s in these slivers of hope, that the true stories are revealed.

The stories that spotlight the young entrepreneur battling to build a viable business, young students carving out their careers currently into untapped and underdeveloped industries, the non-existent middle class that should build the private sector and contribute to its growth and the country’s economy, international investors building projects that create jobs and wealth for the locals as much as it does for the financial interest in the Congo. We can’t talk about changing the narrative of a country when we don’t discuss the positive changes that education, infrastructure developments, economic policies, universal health care, food self sufficiency etc can contribute towards developing Congo.

In Africa, a transformative era is on the horizon as the continent sets its sights on change and development like never before, and country examples like Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Morocco, and Kenya are a testament to these positive changes. A combined drive by the Africans to build an Africa by Africans for a future developed Africa. A daunting task as a fellow African who first arrived in Kinshasa for a two-week trip which quickly extended from month to month and snowballed into creating a business in the field of strategic advisory and communications. It was created around the simple premise – the African narrative needs to be written by the Africans, and the Congolese needed a platform for their voices to be heard as far and wide across the globe.

At the heart of Africa, the center of its soul, the Congolese beats are picking up. Business is quietly picking up, post the first peaceful democratic elections. As the incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi embarks on his second mandate, the world waits with bated breath for the promised change and greater development, the impact of which can be felt across the entire population. Whether its infrastructure, governance reform, education, better health, access to basic needs – there are plenty of conversations to be had. Storytelling, an essential part of Congolese culture, an oral tradition that is filled with narratives, stories, and songs, need to be told from the perceptions and opinions of the Congolese.

In the past, and especially in 2023 the power and bias of the international media came to the forefront.

Geopolitics and powerful Media Houses controlled and amplified the narrative that in their perception was important. It’s only natural to question the visibility of certain global issues over another. This raises the question about the impact of our voices when catastrophes and issues affecting an African country are narrated differently. Whether it’s election, unrest or other catastrophes affecting an African country, sometimes the western media does not consider it newsworthy because they do not have an in-depth understanding and information of the issues and disasters that affects this Continent.

There are a lot of positive changes happening as well, and these news worthy developments need to be made a part of the Global narrative. Positive or negative these conversations need to be had openly and who better than the Africans to be at the forefront of this narrative. The true voices of the Congolese need to be heard from their heart and soul and from their perspective. That’s when the true picture of the reality of their lives, struggles and aspirations emerges.

There is a need for a platform where the Congolese voices and the African voices can be heard, where views can be freely given not as a negative but as a positive approach to help bring the DRC to take its rightful place, not just in Africa but also in the World. Is it not our experiences from around the world when put together with like minded individuals – where greatness begins? Where stories and narratives become the basis for legacies.

DRConversations is the platform created as a gift for all the voices that need to be heard, for all the emotions that need to be expressed and to bring forth the dreams and aspirations of a nation on the cusp of development. Join this journey by sharing openly your knowledge and experience to make DRC a happy, positive and progressive Nation.

It’s time for another rumble in the jungle – Welcome to the conversations from the Congo.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             KS