Congolese cities clear informal markets and relocate vendors

Authorities in Goma are continuing an operation to dismantle informal stalls that occupy sidewalks and other public spaces, moving merchants to the Stade des Volcans as a temporary market site. The move is meant to reduce congestion, improve urban sanitation, and enhance security. While some traders welcome the more orderly environment, others worry about lost customers and inadequate facilities such as shelter and water at the new location.

In Kinshasa, municipal workers have cleared the avenues surrounding the Zando central market, removing illegal stalls, emptying drainage channels, and resurfacing key streets. The city’s sanitation brigade describes the effort as a “zero‑tolerance” policy aimed at restoring order, ensuring traffic flow, and preparing for the market’s official reopening. Officials note that maintaining the cleaned state will require ongoing waste‑management measures and vigilance against the re‑appearance of informal occupations.