An explosive internal audit has uncovered a staggering discrepancy within the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s national police force. Out of 157,886 officially registered officers, a shocking 63,817 are either nonexistent or completely inactive, according to government findings presented this week. The revelation has sent shockwaves through security circles, drastically reducing the already insufficient ratio of police officers per citizen and leaving critical gaps in law enforcement across the nation.
The audit’s damning conclusions have prompted authorities to launch an unprecedented nationwide verification campaign. The initiative will begin in Kinshasa before expanding to all 25 provinces, with officers required to undergo biometric registration. The primary goals? To purge duplicate entries, eliminate ghost payrolls, and establish a secure, tamper-proof database for managing salaries, promotions, and recruitment—all while cutting off funding to fraudulent operations.
Congolese police during a parade in Kinshasa, February 24, 2025. © HARDY BOPE / AFP
Security crisis fuels urgent reforms
The audit’s findings paint a dire financial picture: irregular payrolls are estimated to drain between $99.8 million and $233 million from public coffers annually. This crisis has accelerated plans for a sweeping police modernization program, backed by a $2.55 billion budget and slated for completion by 2030. Key objectives include recruiting and training 90,000 new officers, restructuring security institutions, and deepening trust between officers and communities.
The urgency of these reforms cannot be overstated. Rising insecurity—marked by a surge in armed robberies, kidnappings, and violent assaults—has left citizens in Kinshasa and beyond feeling increasingly vulnerable. In response, President Félix Tshisekedi has demanded stepped-up action against criminal networks while ensuring the reforms deliver measurable improvements in police performance and accountability.
Rebuilding trust through transparency
Beyond financial mismanagement, the scandal has eroded public confidence in the police. The new biometric verification system aims to restore credibility by ensuring every officer on the payroll is real, active, and accountable. Authorities emphasize that this is not merely a crackdown on corruption but a foundational step toward a more professional, responsive, and citizen-centered security apparatus.
