Prefect urges united front against gangs
The Sangha department woke up to a strong message on Friday as Prefect Edouard Denis Okouya addressed the weekly flag-raising in Ouesso. Standing before officers, municipal leaders and dozens of residents, he called for a collective effort to break up the Kuluna and so-called “Bébés noirs” gangs.
Mr Okouya stressed that the fight for security goes beyond patrols and arrests. “The success of our force publique depends on information shared by the community,” he said, insisting that every tip counts when it comes to locating hide-outs or preventing attacks.
The prefect’s speech came amid renewed concern over petty crime and intimidation tactics used by loosely organised youth groups. By placing the issue at the centre of a ceremonial moment, he signalled that public safety is now a civic priority as well as a policing matter.
Who are the Kuluna?
Originally an urban phenomenon, the Kuluna are bands of young men who earned notoriety for machete robberies in Kinshasa before the label spread to other cities. In Ouesso, residents use the term to describe smaller cliques that mug passers-by, snatch phones and extort market traders.
Local observers say the groups thrive on tight-knit loyalty and quick mobility. They disappear into informal settlements along the Sangha River, making conventional policing difficult. Mr Okouya’s appeal for neighbourhood vigilance therefore aims to deny them safe houses and early warnings.
While authorities underscore that most youth are law-abiding, they note that repeated minor offences can erode public confidence and deter investors. Cutting off the lifecycle of street crime, leaders argue, will help preserve Ouesso’s role as a vital timber and trade hub in northern Congo-Brazzaville.
Sheltering offenders invites prosecution
Turning to citizens who might offer lodging or cover to gang members, the prefect spoke in firm but measured terms. “Anyone harbouring these delinquents becomes an accomplice,” he said. Under Congolese law, complicity carries the same penalties as the principal offence.
The warning serves two purposes. First, it discourages families from protecting a relative for fear of legal fallout. Second, it empowers neighbours to report safe houses without the stigma of betrayal. Authorities believe this twin pressure can gradually shrink the Kuluna’s urban refuge network.
Citizenship at street level
Beyond crime-fighting, Mr Okouya asked inhabitants to keep streets, yards and waterways clean. Sanitation, he argued, is another line of defence because well-lit, litter-free areas reduce hiding spots and nurture pride that deters vandalism.
The prefect’s stance echoes national guidelines promoting “salubrité” as part of everyday patriotism. In practice, residents are encouraged to organise weekend clean-ups, trim roadside vegetation and avoid piling household waste at night, when pick-pockets often operate.
Several parents present at the ceremony said the message resonated. “My children must understand that discipline starts at home,” remarked Esther Koumba, a mother of three. “If we keep our quarter orderly, we leave less room for disorder.”
Town hall joins security push
Standing beside the prefect, Ouesso mayor Armel Sidobe pledged logistical support. Municipal agents will coordinate with police to map areas where streetlights are faulty or drainage is blocked, issues frequently linked to evening assaults.
Mr Sidobe also confirmed that the council’s communication office will air weekly radio spots reinforcing the prefecture’s call. By mixing practical tips with crime-watch hotlines, the initiative seeks to keep momentum alive long after the flag-raising applause fades.
Toward a safer, cleaner Sangha
Commanders of the Sangha force publique, equally present in uniform, welcomed the civilian partnership. They outlined plans for joint foot patrols combining officers and respected community leaders, hoping visibility will reassure traders and commuters alike.
Observers note that similar campaigns in other departments have lowered petty crime by pairing swift prosecution with social mediation. Sangha authorities appear keen to replicate that balance, favouring dialogue where possible and decisive action where necessary.
For many in Ouesso, the path to enduring calm lies in simple acts: sharing a phone number, sweeping a gutter, refusing to hide a cousin’s stolen goods. The prefect’s speech distilled that idea into a rallying cry, and the coming weeks will test the town’s resolve to answer it.