Tshopo governor orders military to end harassment at roadblocks

Tshopo Governor Paulin Lendongolia has ordered military authorities to stop harassment and extortion allegedly targeting road users at checkpoints across the province.

He issued the instruction in Kisangani on Wednesday, Sept. 2, during the launch of monthly public hearings organized by the provincial executive. Lendongolia said some checkpoints must remain in place, particularly near territories affected by armed attacks.

Those controls, he said, allow security forces to monitor movements and prevent possible infiltration by armed groups. But their operations must remain limited to security checks and cannot become a pretext for collecting money from travelers.

The governor instructed military commanders to identify and punish personnel who engage in practices that violate those orders. He also linked the directive to the new public hearings, which are intended to let citizens bring their difficulties and grievances directly to provincial authorities so officials can respond.