### Navigability to the test: river challenges in the Democratic Republic of Congo
At the heart of the territory of Kabeya Kamwanga, a maritime drama is played on the banks of the Lubi river. The sinking of the M/V Wandeka, a freight boat with precious cargoes – cement, rice, sugar and other manufactured products from Kinshasa – leaves dozens of travelers trapped in an alarming situation. These passengers have been blocked for two weeks already, the obstruction created by the wreckage of the ship which significantly hampered the circulation of local canoes in a narrow meander of the river.
This tragic scenario highlights not only the risks inherent in river navigation in this region, but also the economic and social implications of the progressive isolation of citizens. The critical situation is worsening with the scarcity of food, causing uncertainty and distress among those who hope for an imminent release.
#### A recurring problem
This sinking is not an isolated incident. The Lubi, like many other navigable pathways in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is the frequent theater of maritime accidents. According to data from the Office of River Transport (OTF), more than 30 shipwrecks have been identified on the main rivers in the last five years, with sometimes tragic consequences, such as the shipwreck of February 2020 having caused the death of around twenty people.
The importance of these river pathways is crucial for the transport of essential foodstuffs, especially since the road infrastructure is often in pitiful condition. The majority of rural areas fully depend on these water roads to access the markets and receive vital goods. However, this shipwreck highlights the dangers of negligence concerning the maintenance of river roads.
### Reactions from the authorities and improvised solutions
Faced with this crisis, local authorities tried to react by launching a bac on the Ndomba biefing to secure the passages. Nevertheless, local experts believe that this measure is insufficient due to the magnitude of the obstruction created by the wreck of the M/V Wandeka. The lack of material and logistical tools to clear the wreck testifies to a bitter reality: the predisposition of the rivers with such incidents and the unpreparedness of the authorities in the face of logistics emergencies.
An integrative approach205 could include the implementation of alert systems to prevent potential risks, training formal nautical gateways – managed jointly by local authorities and communities – and incentive to establish safety standards in river transport. A partnership with NGOs specializing in maritime security could be a way to explore.
#### The human cost of isolation
The distress of blocked travelers is not limited to a logistical crisis. Psychologically, the feeling of abandonment and increasing anxiety affects their mental health. Stress studies caused by isolation in similar situations show an increase in disorders related to anxiety, depression and despair. It would be relevant to predict psychological follow -up for these travelers once the situation restored.
The sinking of the M/V Wandeka highlighted not only a transport crisis, but also an underlying humanitarian crisis. In the absence of rapid solutions, the consequences of delay in the response to this crisis could affect not only blocked passengers, but also the local economy, already in difficulty.
#### Conclusion
This tragedy on the Lubi river is a striking illustration of the challenges that arise in the Democratic Republic of Congo in terms of fluvial navigation safety. This pushes a necessary reflection on the management of river resources, transport policies and the management of vulnerable populations.
The restoration of navigation can only be resolved by a combination of political initiatives, community activities and risk prevention. It is about the economic survival of many communities which, like those of the Lubi river, depend on the fluidity of river exchanges. Fatshimetrie urges national and local authorities to become aware of the urgency of the situation, and to act not only to resolve an immediate crisis, but to prevent it from repeating in the future.