Congo Brazzaville: President Denis Sassou-Nguesso justifies the use of his close protection unit against gangs
During the inauguration of a school complex in Brazzaville, President Denis Sassou-Nguesso made a significant revelation concerning the fight against insecurity. He acknowledged having personally ordered the deployment of the presidential security unit in the hunt for the “Black Babies” gangs that have been terrorizing the capital.
The Head of State justified this decision by citing the insufficient results obtained by conventional security forces.
According to him, the operation was “stalling” with the other authorized units, necessitating the use of his elite soldiers to accelerate the process.
This approach is not without precedent. The president recalled that his close protection guard had already been deployed during military operations in the Pool region between 1998 and 2002, demonstrating a continuity in his method of managing security crises.
This deployment of the presidential security unit in urban policing duties raises questions about the distinction between the roles of different security forces.
The intervention of this elite unit, normally dedicated to the protection of the Head of State, in law enforcement operations marks a notable shift in security practices.
The president’s public acknowledgment of this strategy during an event dedicated to education underscores the importance given to this security issue and the desire to project a firm response to criminality.
Gilbert FOTSO
