Kinshasa, May 25th, 2026 (CPA).- The redevelopment operation of public spaces surrounding Kinshasa Central Market (Zando), in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is currently underway in Gombe municipality, in the northern part of the Congolese capital, according to a statement from the provincial Ministry in charge of Infrastructure and Public Works received Monday by CPA. “The Provincial Government of the city of Kinshasa informs public opinion that the operation involving demolition, forced clearance, drainage cleaning, sanitation and redevelopment of public spaces located along Bokasa, Rwakadingi, Du Marais, Du Marché, De l’École, Plateau, Kasa-Vubu and Bolingo avenues around Kinshasa Central Market is already underway,” the statement read.
The document further informed the population that any buyer caught carrying out commercial transactions in the areas concerned by the operation will be immediately apprehended by the competent services. “To this end, all vendors, informal traders and illegal occupants are formally ordered to immediately and unconditionally vacate the concerned public spaces, failing which systematic demolition of stalls, forced evacuation and seizure of goods will continue without any tolerance or exemption,” the source specified. According to Alain Tshilungu, Provincial Minister in charge of Infrastructure, Public Works, Land Affairs, Urban Planning and Housing, quoted in the statement, the operation is part of public sanitation measures, restoration of urban order, traffic fluidity and securing the surroundings of the Central Market. Thus, cleaning, sanitation and law enforcement works are imperative and will continue until the reopening of Kinshasa Central Market, expected very soon, in order to guarantee a healthy, orderly and secure environment for users and economic operators. “The administrative authorities, security services, law enforcement agencies and the Congolese National Police have been instructed to enforce these measures firmly and without complacency,” the statement concluded.