Public transport drivers in Kinshasa have gone on a three-day strike to protest recurrent police harassment. Indeed, recently, the road traffic police have increased unjustified checks on carriers’ on-board documents, which have aroused the ire of the latter. However, the origin of the conflict is rooted in the dispute between the Association of Drivers of Congo (ACCO) and that of Chargers of Congo (ACHACO), two non-profit associations which disputed the management of public car parks in Kinshasa. . This situation has caused a deterioration of security in these places with daily clashes and violence.
To find a solution to this problem, the city of Kinshasa has decided to set up a special commission to settle this crisis. Chaired by the provincial minister in charge of transport, this commission would bring together the two parties concerned to try to find an amicable agreement.
On Monday, June 5, the drivers’ strike was suspended after some solutions were presented and the authorities made decisions for the cause. The circulation of public transport was thus able to resume timidly in the evening of the same day.
The strike which had been planned for three days was finally suspended, but not yet called off. Carriers are demanding solutions to their problems, including an end to police harassment, a better distribution of parking lots and an end to daily violence in the workplace.
This strike movement raises the question of the quality of public transport in the DRC. It is not uncommon for carriers to be victims of police harassment and growing insecurity in the city’s public car parks. These difficult working conditions for drivers, but also for public transport users, require an in-depth reform of the sector.