Kinshasa authorities intensify crackdown on illegal urban constructions

Authorities in Kinshasa have intensified operations to reclaim public spaces and combat illegal urban occupation as part of a city-wide sanitation and beautification program. These actions follow directives from President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo to address anarchic construction across the capital.

In the Barumbu commune, the Maman Jacqueline Elongo school complex was demolished in the Ndolo neighborhood. Provincial Environment Minister Léon Mulumba stated the school occupied land reserved for a public landfill. According to Mulumba, the school's promoter had been notified of the irregularity for a year and was given several months to vacate, but failed to do so. The demolition occurred shortly before the start of the school year, leaving the status of the affected students uncertain.

Simultaneously, the Special Brigade for Environmental Protection (BSPE), led by Colonel Mimi Bikela, has conducted raids in several districts, including Tshangu and Lemba. These operations targeted illegal installations such as makeshift toilets, pirate markets, bars, and structures built along drainage canals. Authorities noted that such occupations obstruct traffic and increase flood risks by hindering water drainage.