Fatshimetrie, September 30, 2024 – The City of Kinshasa was recently the scene of a demonstration by motorcyclists, expressing their anger at the road harassment they are victims of. Motorcycle taxi drivers denounced the excessive and unfair demands imposed by local authorities, highlighting a persistent problem that impacts their daily lives.
The motorcyclists, some of whom are members of the Association of Integral Motorcyclists of Congo (Amico), expressed their dissatisfaction with the abusive practices they face. Among the demands put forward, the issue of motorcyclists’ identification cards is prominent, the exorbitant cost of 30,000 Congolese francs of which is contested in the absence of a solid legal basis. They also highlight the lack of harmonization of the rates for issuing this document between the different municipalities, thus creating a feeling of injustice among motorcycle drivers.
Jeremy Kabongo, President of Amico, called for strict regulation of the issuance of administrative documents required to exercise this activity. He considered it necessary for the authorities to take concrete measures to put an end to this confusion and establish a clear and fair legal framework for all stakeholders in the motorcycle taxi sector.
The motorcyclists were joined in their protest movement by road users, faced with the consequences of these harassments on their daily lives. Some expressed their solidarity with the motorcycle taxi drivers by highlighting the difficulties encountered in getting around the Congolese capital due to this strike movement.
This mobilization of motorcyclists in Kinshasa raises fundamental questions about the need to put in place fair and transparent measures to regulate the motorcycle taxi sector. The calls for calm launched by the authorities and representatives of the motorcyclists demonstrate the desire to find concerted solutions to resolve these problems and guarantee an environment conducive to the exercise of this activity.
In conclusion, the motorcyclists’ demonstration in Kinshasa highlights the importance of promoting constructive dialogue between different stakeholders in order to find sustainable solutions to the problems of road harassment that impact both motorcycle taxi drivers and road users. It is essential that local authorities commit to listening to the legitimate demands of motorcyclists and put in place appropriate measures to ensure a fair and equitable regulatory framework for all.