** Taking up on Kabalo’s roads: symbol of a dysfunction of the state or inevitable reality? **
The absence of effective governance and fair social justice remains a scourge in many regions in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The recent testimony of the inhabitants of the territory of Kabalo, in the province of Tanganyika, reveals the multiple facets of this phenomenon. Extortion accounts by state services agents, against a background of road barriers, report a disturbing image of a state which should guarantee the security and free passage of its citizens, but which often seems to act as a predator.
** A reality shared by other regions **
The complaints of Kabalo citizens are not unique. In many DRC provinces, similar reports raise the question of the erosion of state authority and the normalization of corruption practices. In Kinshasa, for example, passers -by must also cope with roadblocks where informal costs are commonplace. According to a survey by the NGO “observatory of public spending”, almost 70% of road users in urban and rural areas denounce similar abuses. Far from being isolated cases, these incidents are part of a generalized tendency of ineffectiveness of the state system to maintain order and security.
** Socio-economic implications **
This situation is not limited to simple harassment on the roads. The economic pressure that the inhabitants of Kabalo undergo, exacerbated by daily extortion, has dramatic consequences on their daily life. The costs required for barriers, which may seem minimal, accumulate and seriously affect their purchasing power. Many testimonies report that these sums, which can reach up to 6000 Congolese francs for a short journey, are difficult to bring together in a context where almost 80% of the population lives below the poverty line.
On a macroscopic scale, this practice also contributes to the enormous economic disengagement in the region. Small traders, who often represent the cornerstone of the local economy, see their margins melt as snow in the sun, thus impacting the informal economy, often the most dynamic in these neglected territories.
** Authorities’ responses: between reality and denial **
The responses of Kabalo government officials who, in an intervention with Fatshimetrics, rejected the accusations, raise a major question: to what extent are these authorities aware of the realities on the ground? Their recognition of a “legal toll post” is an attempt at legitimization, but it raises the question of legislation often perceived by populations as disconnected from their daily experience.
Studies carried out by civil society organizations insist that, without a mechanism of control and liable, state agents will continue to act with impunity. This disconnection is often supported by a low presence of the state and the dialogues open with the community, emphasizing the need for deep reform.
** Call for action: Education and awareness **
Faced with this reality, it is imperative to educate the population on their rights and to initiate a constructive dialogue between the State and the citizens. Social mobilization, fueled by citizen movements and awareness campaigns, could be a powerful tool to highlight abuses. In addition, the use of new technologies, such as digital platforms to denounce abuse, could strengthen civic engagement and improve transparency.
In short, the situation in Kabalo is not limited to a problem of harassment on the roads. It testifies to a broader governance crisis and calls for collective action. The ability of citizens to make known and claiming their rights is crucial to ensure lasting change. Hope lies in the capacity of civil society and institutions to reform, listen to the needs of the population who suffers and build a real rule of law, where the security and dignity of citizens are respected and protected.