Kongolo Residents Protest CAPSA Seed Center Relocation to Moba

Radio Okapi reports on the strong public reaction in Kongolo following the announcement of the Centre d’adaptation et de production de semences améliorées (CAPSA) relocation to Moba. A protest erupted as residents voiced their deep dissatisfaction with a decision they deem detrimental to their community's economic prospects and historical identity.

The demonstrators, accompanied by a brass band, marched through Kongolo, emphasizing that the center, operational since 1942, is a vital asset. They argue that relocating it would not only be an "incomprehensible and unacceptable" move but also a squandering of historical infrastructure and a blow to Kongolo's long-standing reputation as an agricultural hub. The youth, represented by Sharlant Katongola, stressed that Kongolo has historically been a breadbasket for the DRC, supporting major projects and feeding numerous regions.

From the perspective of Kongolo's residents and as reported by Radio Okapi, the justification for the move – the impracticality of local roads – appears insufficient to warrant uprooting such a crucial institution. They are calling for a direct assessment of the existing infrastructure, urging authorities to reconsider a decision that threatens to impoverish their territory and discard a valuable legacy. The demand is for the CAPSA center to remain in Kongolo, where it has been a cornerstone of agricultural development and employment for decades.

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Pour éviter que votre intention ne soit fondée sur des choses non vérifiables et ne marche à l'encontre de la vision du chef de l'État, nous demandons votre descente sur terrain afin d'apprécier l'état des infrastructures existantes. Une délocalisation signifierait un gaspillage d'un patrimoine historique au profit d'un site inexistant à Moba. Kongolo est un grenier agricole depuis la nuit des temps, ayant accueilli des projets majeurs comme ESTAGRICO, le projet Nord Shaba et GENAGRO. Il a nourri plusieurs entités de la RDC, notamment le Grand Kasaï, le Grand Katanga et bien au-delà.