Beni: Prison Officers Trained by Mission de l'Organisation des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO) on Preventing Radicalization in Detention Facilities
Twenty-five Congolese prison administration officers from the Beni region in North Kivu, including four women, took part in a training session on June 10, 2025, focused on preventing radicalization and violent extremism of detainees. Organized at Kangbayi Urban Prison by MONUSCO's Prison Administration Support Unit in Beni, the training aimed to strengthen prison staff capacity in managing inmates at risk of radicalization.
The session covered the definitions of radicalization and violent extremism, identification of risk factors, indicators of prison radicalization, and best practices for prevention, management, and reintegration of affected detainees. Particular emphasis was placed on the need for an approach that respects the rights and dignity of incarcerated individuals.
Like many penitentiary facilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kangbayi Prison houses a diverse inmate population. Located in a conflict-affected area, it holds a significant number of armed group members, including elements of the ADF, Maï-Maï militias, and more recently, the AFC/M23. Around 400 individuals are currently detained for offenses related to armed activity.
The prison director, Tsongo Makelele, highlighted the challenges:
"It has been observed at the national level that some inmates become radicalized within prison walls. Beni prison houses individuals from armed groups, especially the ADF, and others involved in the eastern DRC conflicts. With only two cells, it's difficult to ensure proper separation between different categories of inmates."
In light of the risk of extremist ideologies spreading, he welcomed the training:
"Our staff now have tools to prevent radicalization. It's a critical issue for the security of the facility. When a radicalized inmate adopts a violent or extremist posture, it poses a real threat. Equipping our personnel with the skills to anticipate and manage this phenomenon is essential."
This training is part of MONUSCO's broader efforts to strengthen the resilience of penitentiary institutions in eastern DRC.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mission de l'Organisation des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
a day ago
- Zawya
Trump plan near success as Congo, Rwanda initial peace deal
The negotiating teams from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have initialled the text of a prospective peace agreement between the two countries, signalling the success of the US-led mediation in ending their long-standing tensions. The teams approved the text in the presence of US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker and will now await the ministerial signing of the peace agreement on June 27, 2025, in the presence of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the US State Department announced on Wednesday. Initialling a document signals that discussions are complete and that both parties are satisfied with the provisions in the text. However, this does not constitute a commitment to implementation until the formal signing by senior diplomats designated by the respective countries. One key area on which the two sides have agreed is the conditional reintegration of non-state armed groups, returning to a solution that Congo has tried before but which has previously collapsed due to mistrust. Rwanda and the DRC have blamed each other over the past decade for fuelling rebellion targeting their respective administrations. President Felix Tshisekedi has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group, which has now seized large swathes of territory in eastern Congo. But, Kigali denies the allegations and also blames Kinshasa for shielding the FDLR, the remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. From the outset, the peace deal is predicated on the premise that both sides will eject foreign fighters and cease backing rebels targeting each other. However, it is unclear whether the steps to end the conflict will differ from previous attempts, such as the initial integration of the M23 into the army, which ultimately failed. They accused the government of marginalisation. Washington dealThe Washington deal was drafted during three days of constructive dialogue on political, security and economic interests. The initialling towers earlier suspicions that some sides were leaking documents to the public, which saw Rwanda initially threaten not to sign. It also includes the establishment of a joint security coordination mechanism incorporating the Conops (concept of operations) of 31 October 2024, and the facilitation of the return of refugees and internally displaced persons, as well as ensuring humanitarian access. There is also a framework for regional economic integration. This information was also disclosed by Tina Salama, spokesperson for President Tshisekedi. Representatives from Qatar were also involved in the discussions, and their efforts have successfully led to the peace process between the M23 rebels and the DRC government. Qatar's presence at the discussions between Rwanda and the DRC was intended to ensure that the two countries' initiatives aimed at promoting dialogue and peace in the region were complementary and aligned. Tensions have been further exacerbated by the presence of former President Joseph Kabila in Goma, with the Kinshasa authorities seeking his arraignment for alleged treason. © Copyright 2022 Nation Media Group. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
4 days ago
- Zawya
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): Human rights violations could amount to war crimes, UN experts say
In the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwandan-backed rebels, Congolese troops, and allied militias have all committed human rights abuses, some possibly amounting to war crimes, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said in Geneva on Monday. Volker Türk told the Human Rights Council that the investigation and analysis undertaken by his office, OHCHR, had revealed 'an apparent total disregard for the protection of civilians during and after military operations.' The OHCHR's Fact-Finding Mission in the eastern DRC is also investigating other alleged violations of international humanitarian law, 'many of which may amount to war crimes,' he said. Arbitrary Arrests After capturing cities and villages in early 2025, the M23 Rwanda-backed rebels arbitrarily arrested police officers and large numbers of other civilians, including children, the UN human rights office reported. According to witnesses, those captured were, and are, still being held in 'inhumane conditions,' and many were forcibly recruited into the ranks of the M23. The Mission is also investigating alleged arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances of suspected M23 supporters by the military intelligence arm of the DRC armed forces. Extrajudicial Killings OHCHR also reported that members of the M23 carried out summary and extrajudicial executions, which likely amount to war crimes, said Mr. Türk. The Mission is also investigating alleged summary executions by members of the DRC armed forces and DRC-backed Wazalendo militias. UN human rights is also investigating reports of death threats, detention and other reprisals against human rights defenders, journalists, and members of civil society perceived as critical of the M23; including the alleged killings of at least two activists. Sexual Violence The Mission received reports of 'horrific' use of sexual violence by all parties as a means of reprisal against communities, relatives of perceived opponents, and people from other ethnic groups, said Mr. Türk. In North and South Kivu, nearly 40 per cent of survivors of sexual and gender-based violence are children. The UN International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) estimated that during the most intense phase of the conflict, a child was raped every 30 minutes. Mr. Türk called on 'all parties to the conflict to commit immediately to a ceasefire and resume negotiations, and to respect international humanitarian and human rights law.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.
Zawya
13-06-2025
- Zawya
Beni: Prison Officers Trained by Mission de l'Organisation des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO) on Preventing Radicalization in Detention Facilities
Twenty-five Congolese prison administration officers from the Beni region in North Kivu, including four women, took part in a training session on June 10, 2025, focused on preventing radicalization and violent extremism of detainees. Organized at Kangbayi Urban Prison by MONUSCO's Prison Administration Support Unit in Beni, the training aimed to strengthen prison staff capacity in managing inmates at risk of radicalization. The session covered the definitions of radicalization and violent extremism, identification of risk factors, indicators of prison radicalization, and best practices for prevention, management, and reintegration of affected detainees. Particular emphasis was placed on the need for an approach that respects the rights and dignity of incarcerated individuals. Like many penitentiary facilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kangbayi Prison houses a diverse inmate population. Located in a conflict-affected area, it holds a significant number of armed group members, including elements of the ADF, Maï-Maï militias, and more recently, the AFC/M23. Around 400 individuals are currently detained for offenses related to armed activity. The prison director, Tsongo Makelele, highlighted the challenges: "It has been observed at the national level that some inmates become radicalized within prison walls. Beni prison houses individuals from armed groups, especially the ADF, and others involved in the eastern DRC conflicts. With only two cells, it's difficult to ensure proper separation between different categories of inmates." In light of the risk of extremist ideologies spreading, he welcomed the training: "Our staff now have tools to prevent radicalization. It's a critical issue for the security of the facility. When a radicalized inmate adopts a violent or extremist posture, it poses a real threat. Equipping our personnel with the skills to anticipate and manage this phenomenon is essential." This training is part of MONUSCO's broader efforts to strengthen the resilience of penitentiary institutions in eastern DRC. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mission de l'Organisation des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO).
