**Kinshasa in Boil: A Strike That Reveals More Than Just a Social Conflict**
A few hours before a transport strike announced in Kinshasa, the tension in the city is only growing. The governor, Daniel Bumba, warned against an action described as “wild”, thus signifying a desire to gain control over future events. However, behind this simple strike lies a socio-economic phenomenon with much deeper implications and revealing the political and social climate in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
**The Mismatch between Politics and Socio-Economic Reality**
The new tariff scale put in place by the provincial government, supposed to calm minds and restore order, seems to go against the daily realities of the people of Kinshasa. Although the governor insists that it was established in consultation with drivers, this raises a crucial question: to what extent do the authorities truly take into account the opinions of those on the front lines?
Promises of open consultations with the population clash with reality: a majority of Kinshasa residents, especially those living on less than two dollars a day, have immediate needs that are not reflected in the fare structure. Indeed, if the route between the Marché de la Liberté and Kingasani ya Suka costs 500 FC, this amount represents a significant expense for a household in precarious situations. A recent survey revealed that 60% of Kinshasa residents consider that their income is not enough to cover their basic food needs, which places the new fare structure in an even more worrying perspective.
**Behind the Scenes: Unions as a Social Barometer**
Transport unions, often perceived as disruptive by the authorities, play a crucial role in representing workers’ concerns. To the astute observer, this strike may be seen more as a cry for help than as a simple act of disobedience. Indeed, a study within transport unions showed that 75% of drivers disagree with the terms of the new fare structure, fostering the idea that latent tensions exist within an already fragile sector.
Moreover, the tendency to criminalize strikes or to label them as “wildcat” risks creating a climate of distrust between the authorities and the population. In a country where trust in institutions is often undermined, constructive dialogue is essential. Unions must therefore be seen less as adversaries to be fought, but rather as potential partners in the quest for more inclusive governance and better regulation of the sector..
**Control Policies versus Civil Liberties: A Fragile Balance**
The response of the police and the army to the announced strike raises questions about crisis management in urban areas. Reinforcing the police presence can be seen as a deterrent, but it can also draw attention to a possible authoritarian drift. The balance between maintaining public order and respecting civil liberties is precarious and deserves to be discussed in the context of a broader debate on democracy in the DRC.
Returning to the articulation between purchasing power and living conditions: the question of transport in Kinshasa should also be addressed from the perspective of infrastructure. The disastrous state of the roads and chronic traffic jams exacerbate user frustration, and it is not enough to simply impose a price list without guaranteeing an improvement in transport services.
**Perspectives d’Avenir: Towards an Inclusive and Sustainable Model**
The challenges facing Kinshasa are not unique, but reflect a broader dynamic observed in other African metropolises where tensions between leaders, unions and citizens emerge in similar ways. Cities such as Nairobi or Abidjan have implemented participatory transport reforms, focused on consultation and collaboration with the population. The DRC could learn from these experiences and engage in a participatory governance process.
To preserve peace and order without stifling dissenting voices, it is crucial that the Congolese government seeks to establish a genuine dialogue with all stakeholders. The strike planned for January 20 could well be an opportunity to redefine the relationship between the administration and unions, but also to reform an obsolete system.
In conclusion, as Kinshasa prepares for a potentially chaotic day, a call for reflection is necessary. What does this transport crisis offer us if not an in-depth analysis of the balance of power within society? One certainty remains: the future of transport in Kinshasa will now depend on the ability of stakeholders to cooperate, listen and build a fairer society together. Fatshimetrie.org will closely monitor developments, providing analysis and insights into this constantly evolving situation.