Kinshasa under shutdown: opposition calls for protest against constitutional change
Kinshasa under shutdown: opposition calls for protest against constitutional change
- Politics
The capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kinshasa, experienced an unusually quiet Wednesday morning. This followed calls from the opposition for a ‘ghost town’ protest to reject the government’s proposal to amend the Constitution, potentially allowing President Félix Tshisekedi to extend his stay in power.
The city, typically bustling by 3:00 AM, saw drastically reduced taxi traffic, sparse student presence on school routes, and largely shuttered businesses. Commuters who usually contribute to the city’s notorious traffic jams were notably absent.
Quiet streets across key districts
In the Mont-Amba district, our reporter noted the absence of students on the Intendance University of Kinshasa route, a path typically crowded with scholars by 7:50 AM. Instead, there was a visible police presence along the road. Public transport stops were deserted, and service stations hesitated to open—including the Salongo station.
Multiple police jeeps were seen heading toward the University of Kinshasa, while military vehicles patrolled the Bypass avenue. The Ngaba roundabout, usually congested, remained nearly empty until 8:00 AM.
In Limete, known for its heavy traffic on Lumumba and Poids lourds boulevards, residents reported minimal activity. Public transport was scarce, with only a single bus operating until 7:00 AM to connect to the city center. Many vehicle owners chose to keep their cars off the roads to avoid potential disturbances. Police patrols were reinforced, with officers stationed at key locations, particularly at the first street in Limete.
