The Police, the State and the Congo Cop: Police Reform beyond success or failure

The police—often the most visible face of the state—shape citizens’ everyday experiences of security, justice, and public authority. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, where questions of security, state legitimacy, and public trust remain urgent challenges, police reform has been a central response by successive governments and donors alike in the pursuit of state-building as much as peacebuilding. While such reforms are commonly judged to fall short of expectations, evaluations tend to miss the way police reform affects state-society relations in subtle, yet important ways. What, then, does reform look like from the perspective of those who live and enact it every day?

Drawing on years of research in eastern DRC, Michel Thill will show us how police officers and citizens reshape reform through their everyday practices and interactions, offering fresh perspectives on policing, violence, legitimacy, and state-building from the ground up.

The evening will offer insights into the opportunities and challenges, as well as the potential lessons that the DRC context holds for other such processes worldwide.

During the Apéro afterwards, you will have the opportunity to speak directly with the speaker.

🗓️ Thursday, 10.09.2026

🕚 19:00 
📍 kHaus Forum (Ground floor), Kasernenhof 8, Basel