When one discusses the situation prevailing at the Corridor of Small Cross-Border Traders in Kasumbalesa, a feeling of consternation grips the reader. Indeed, it is deplorable to note that harassment has reached a worrying level in this strategic location for cross-border trade. Under the indifferent gaze of local, provincial and national authorities, small transporters, traders and even the disabled find themselves trapped in a multitude of services that demand bribes at each crossing.
In a poignant letter addressed to the authorities, the president of the Association of Disabled Transit Workers in Kasumbalesa, Mardochée Kanyinda, firmly denounces this untenable situation. He describes in detail how the population, already weakened by the constraints linked to cross-border trade, is subjected to a real test of strength at each stage of the process. In addition to the legal taxes collected by the DGDA, a myriad of services, such as the OCC, Quarantine, Border Police, ANR, New Technology, and many others, are demanding their share of the pie, regardless of the legality of the documents presented by the transporters.
This situation is unsustainable and highlights a major dysfunction within the Kasumbalesa Corridor. Operators and traders, already facing many difficulties, find themselves held hostage by a voracious bureaucracy that swallows up the meager profits of their trade. The call for the involvement of the authorities is more than legitimate, because it is urgent to act to put an end to this harassment that is plaguing the daily lives of small traders.
It is high time that the authorities become aware of the magnitude of the problem and act proactively to ensure a healthy business environment conducive to economic development. The elimination of this “litany of services” that are sucking the life out of cross-border traders is a top priority. It is imperative that concrete measures are taken to put an end to these abusive practices and restore the confidence of cross-border trade stakeholders.
In conclusion, the situation at the Kasumbalesa Small Cross-Border Traders Corridor is alarming and calls for an immediate response from the relevant authorities. It is time to put an end to this insidious harassment that is detrimental to the economic development of the region and the survival of small traders. It is high time that light be shed on these abusive practices and that effective measures be taken to guarantee a better future for cross-border trade stakeholders in Kasumbalesa.