The military hierarchy ordered the takeover of Kinshasa’s largest military camp, “Lieutenant Colonel Kokolo”, pointed out as a criminal hole. Assessment of the operation on Sunday: arrests, seizures of weapons and deportations. The commander of the 14th military region is pleased with this first operation and believes, however, that there is still much to do in this camp.
as reported from Kinshasa, Kamanda wa Kamanda Muzembe
Sunday, from morning to morning, the Kokolo camp was closed. No entrance, no exit. All units in the Kinshasa garrison were mobilized for this operation, which lasted until early in the evening. Eventually, according to General Hugo Ilondo, 257 people were arrested.
The commander of the 14th military region also mentions the seizure of 17 individual weapons of war and 56 machetes. 31 families of civilians irregularly installed in this military camp were also thrown out. These families were tenants of houses built without the permission of soldiers in the camp itself, explains an officer who lives there.
Built during the colonial era for a population of about 16,000, the camp now houses more or less 40,000 people living in deplorable conditions. A situation that for many years has been condemned by NGOs warning the authorities.
Another problem: individuals, including politicians, have built private properties, including a hotel adjacent to the camp, while it is not closed. A situation condemned by the military hierarchy.
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