DRC: the commune of Gombe cut off from the world with an uncompromising police

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Police have released an impressive arsenal in Kinshasa to guard the commune of Gombe, where containment began on Monday. No entry, no exit, even for authorized personnel in the nerve center of the Congolese capital.

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with our correspondent in Kinshasa, Patient Ligodi

Gloved hands, nose and mouth covered with mask, baton in hand, General Sylvano Kasongo, police chief in Kinshasa, is forced to intervene on Liberation Avenue, where a long line of cars has formed. All these people are provided with a badge distributed the day before by the town hall.

The Congolese general explains the complications: “ You know, this is the first experience. We never knew containment. Today is the first day. People do not understand, everyone wants to go to the Gombe ... We are confined, people must not go out, otherwise it will not make sense . " And for people blocked with badges, checks are put in place, adds Sylvano Kasongo: " Those who have their badge, what are they going to do at La Gombe ?" We have to check, because we gave everyone badges, but it's not the bible!… ”

Drones deployed

The police also deployed drones to monitor the behavior of the law enforcement officer. For his part, Didier Tenge Te Litho, the provincial Minister of the Interior of Kinshasa, speaks of a mixed record in terms of coordination: “ The commune of Gombe is practically deserted. And now we are in the awareness phase of people who are confined to staying at home, to go out only for cases of extreme emergency . ”

►Also listen: Africa press review - The start of confinement in the commune of La Gombé in Kinshasa

A system is also set up to find the inhabitants of the Gombe, who have evaded the confinement measure and have temporarily settled in other municipalities. " The district leaders, the mayors, are seized, insists the provincial Minister of the Interior . If they do not want to identify themselves, we will give their names and we will follow them there . ”

The authorities promise better coordination between police, city hall and other entities, as of Tuesday.

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