Kinshasa: Avenue Révolution in Selembao Gradually Becoming a Garbage Dump

The Avenue Révolution in Selembao, Kinshasa, is facing a growing sanitation crisis as a vital drainage canal has become completely blocked by garbage. The obstruction, extending for dozens of meters towards the Makelele River, is transforming the once-functional waterway into a festering dump.

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At the origin, it is the vendors of the Selembao market who deposit their waste there. We tried to clean it ourselves, but without success, because the waste is too numerous and very compacted.

Residents interviewed on Friday, June 5, attribute the problem largely to vendors from the Selembao market, who they claim deposit their waste there each night. This practice has created an open-air landfill, significantly impacting the local environment and residents' health. The sheer volume and compacted nature of the waste have overwhelmed local cleanup efforts, leaving inhabitants feeling helpless.

"We are constantly suffering from diseases like malaria and typhoid. Look at me, I just finished a treatment and the illness has returned. How can I heal in an environment where bad odors and unsanitary conditions prevail?" one resident lamented. The stagnant water and pervasive stench are breeding grounds for mosquitoes, contributing to a rise in illnesses, particularly among children and vulnerable populations. While residents report high rates of malaria and typhoid, these claims could not be independently confirmed by health authorities.

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We are constantly suffering from diseases like malaria and typhoid. Look at me, I just finished a treatment and the illness has returned. How can I heal in an environment where bad odors and unsanitary conditions prevail?

Beyond the immediate health risks, the blocked canal raises concerns about potential flooding, especially during the rainy season. The lack of a functional drainage system means stagnant water could soon inundate nearby homes. Residents are urgently appealing to the competent authorities for intervention to clear the area and restore proper water flow, while also emphasizing the need for collective responsibility. "Everyone must clean in front of their plot. We cannot expect everything from the authorities when some people themselves throw waste here," stated one resident, highlighting the dual need for official action and a change in community behavior.

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Everyone must clean in front of their plot. We cannot expect everything from the authorities when some people themselves throw waste here.