The five-day training session was held through a collaboration between the International Francophone Police Training Network, the International Committee for the Games of La Francophonie and the Department of Political Affairs and Governance at the International Organisation of the La Francophonie.

National Francophone Games Committee director Isidore Kwandja explained the challenges of hosting the multi-sport event to 40 police officers from the Groupe Mobile d'Intervention participating in the training.

Training at the General Commissariat of the Congolese National Police headquarters covered the principles and conduct of security, needs, risks and involvements of services at different levels and various potential scenarios.

It focused on the management of venues to ensure a safe environment for all participants at the Francophone Games, and emphasised the importance of security with respect for human rights and the Francophone Games Charter of Ethics.

A total of 4,500 police officers are expected to be deployed for the Francophone Games, with private security agents from Delta also set to be used at competition venues.

The Francophone Games in Kinshasa were originally scheduled for 2021, but have been pushed back to July 28 to August 6 this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic and delays to preparation, which have led to plans for an Athletes' Village being abandoned.

Despite the issues in the build-up to the Games, Kwandja this week insisted "Kinshasa will be ready to welcome athletes and artists from the French-speaking world".

Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Tshisekedi has made the Francophone Games one of the country's three priorities for the year, along with a visit by Pope Francis in February and a planned general election in December.

The Francophone Games are due to feature nine sports but also a range of cultural activities, including dance music, poetry, sculpture and painting.

Kinshasa 2023 is set to be the ninth edition of the event and the first held in six years following on from Abidjan in Ivory Coast.

The Democratic Republic of Congo was awarded the Games after the withdrawal of original hosts Moncton and Dieppe in Canada.