** Rehabilitation of high-Uélé roads: a palliative solution or a step towards sustainable development? **
On May 12, 2025, a significant event took place in Isiro, chief town of the Haut-Uélé province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). During an official mission, the Minister of Rural Development, Muhindo Nzangi, announced an emergency plan aimed at rehabilitating agricultural service roads in this region, a gesture that is of crucial importance for local development. This initiative emerges in a context where the inaccessibility to basic infrastructure complicates the daily life of populations, asking the question of whether such measures can really provide lasting solutions to the pressing challenges faced by this province.
** An alarming observation **
The high-Uélé, like many other DRC provinces, faces complex structural challenges. The degraded state of agricultural service roads not only hinders access to markets for local producers, but also affects the distribution of essential goods and services, such as drinking water and health care. This cycle of geographic isolation contributes to poverty already crawling in this region where the majority of the population depends on agriculture for its survival. In response to these issues, the proposal to rehabilitate roads, although described as “palliative solution” by local actors, raises hopes but also questions about its long -term viability.
** A visit to the service of the population? **
The Minister’s arrival, accompanied by local representatives, indicates a manifest will of the central government to dialogue with communities and to assess needs on the ground. By not being content to descend the directives from Kinshasa, this approach could facilitate a better understanding of the realities experienced by the inhabitants of Isiro and its surroundings. That said, it is legitimate to wonder if this initiative is part of a more coherent and sustainable development strategy.
Minister Nzangi has indeed mentioned a desire to materialize changes in the field, promising concrete results. However, the effectiveness of such missions often depends not only on the commitment of political leaders, but also on the involvement of local actors and transparency in the allocation of resources.
** Consultation between local and central actors: a challenge to be met **
The concerns raised by local issues, in particular access to drinking water and community infrastructure, cannot be resolved only by the central government. It is essential to involve local actors in the decision-making process and ensure follow-up beyond public ads. Potential beneficiaries must not only be heard but also integrated into the implementation of projects.
In addition, the problem of the maintenance and sustainability of the rehabilitated roads must be posed. Development programs must provide mechanisms to ensure that these infrastructures remain operational in the long term. How to assess the needs that evolve over time while ensuring sustainable and effective access to the population?
** Reduction tracks and future prospects **
The emergency plan mentioned in Isiro could be the start of a process aimed at revitalizing agriculture and opening up the province of Haut-Uélé. However, it is essential that this process is accompanied by guarantees and rigorous assessments in the field. An approach based on listening to local needs, coupled with a transparent financial framework, could constitute a path to a beneficial structural transformation for the region.
In addition, additional initiatives, such as improving agronomy training for local farmers, could strengthen the impact of new infrastructure. Development cannot be unilateral; It must be inclusive, taking into account the human potential of the province and promoting participatory dynamics.
In short, the situation in Isiro deserves special attention. While the population awaits concrete solutions, it is crucial to go beyond occasional interventions to envisage a truly sustainable development which responds to the aspirations of the inhabitants of this region rich in potential but historically neglected. The demonstrable management of these infrastructures could also serve as a model for other parts of the DRC which are in similar situations.