Strengthening Environmental Justice: Four New Judicial Police Officers Sworn In for Upemba National Park

Communication
7 hours ago
2 min read

To strengthen the capacity of its Investigation and Legal Monitoring Unit, Upemba National Park has added four new Judicial Police Officers (OPJs), who officially took their oath of office on August 14, 2026, in Kipushi, Haut-Katanga province.

Presided over by the Public Prosecutor at the Kipushi High Court, Mr. Mbanci Shaminga Fernand, this ceremony marked the completion of a rigorous training program. It highlights the reinforced partnership between the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN) and the judicial sector, as well as the firm commitment of these new officers to serve the nation with integrity, impartiality, and dedication.

Celebrating this achievement, Mr. Richard Akonkwa, head of the Investigation and Legal Monitoring Unit at Upemba National Park, commended the work accomplished: "I would like to thank the training team from the Prosecutor's Office, under the leadership of the Public Prosecutor, as well as the Park Director and Deputy Director for their constant support. I also congratulate my colleagues for their tenacity throughout this journey. We have full confidence in the training received and know they are ready for this crucial mission in service to the Republic and our park."

In the Democratic Republic the Congo, qualification as a Judicial Police Officer is an essential strategic tool for protected area conservation. In the face of rising poaching, illegal wildlife trafficking, and the unlawful exploitation of natural resources, these officers now possess the legal authority to investigate environmental offenses, issue citations, collect legally sound evidence, and draft official reports submitted directly to public prosecutors. This mandate enhances the fight against wildlife crime while ensuring strict law enforcement that respects human rights and individual dignity.