Kinshasa, April 27, 2024 – A major and historic milestone in the fight against wildlife crime in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the main courtroom of the Kinshasa/Gombe High Court, seven (7) sworn officers of the Congolese Institute for Conservation of Nature (ICCN) were sworn in as a Judicial Police Officer (OPJ) with restricted jurisdiction before the Public Prosecutor.
The real revolution of this swearing-in lies in the geographical scope of their power. For the very first time in the history of the institution, these new OPJs are directly attached to the General Management and have national competence.
Unlike previous practices often limited to local or park-specific jurisdictions, this new Kinshasa-based unit now has the power to investigate and act throughout the territory of the Republic.
This is the successful result of a technical collaboration between the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) and the ICCN.
Before reaching this crucial legal stage, the recipients attended a series of specialized trainings that mobilized several reference state bodies, including the National Institute of Judicial Training (INAFORJ).
This strategic approach is directly part of the repression of eco-crimes and slippages observed on the margins of nature conservation across the country. It aims at a clear objective : to ensure the strict application and full compliance with Law No. 14/003 of 11 February 2014 on the conservation of nature.
Now equipped with their scholarships and legal prerogatives to observe the offences, draw up minutes and arrest offenders everywhere in the DRC, these new national OPJs are expected on the ground. Targeted operations will be deployed shortly in order to make the functioning of this specialized judicial unit fully effective.
