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🇨🇩 DR Congo /Crime & Justice

Lubumbashi traffic police work to ease city gridlock

From Radio Okapi · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Traffic police in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, have been working for over six months to ease chronic traffic congestion.
  • Agents regulate traffic, educate drivers on road safety, and assist pedestrians on major routes.
  • Taxi-buses stopping arbitrarily and a growing vehicle fleet are identified as key contributors to the daily gridlock.

In Lubumbashi, the capital of Haut-Katanga province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, traffic police officers from the National Road Safety Commission (CNPR) have been actively deployed for more than six months. Their mission is to combat the city's escalating traffic jams and enhance road safety across its major thoroughfares.

On Boulevard M'siri, a heavily trafficked artery, CNPR agents in distinctive yellow and black vests are a daily presence. They manage intersections, enforce traffic laws, and conduct awareness campaigns, urging drivers to avoid risky behaviors like using mobile phones while driving. At critical points like the Texaco Usine intersection, officers work to keep vehicles moving and prevent bottlenecks.

According to CNPR agent Clarisse Elumbu Maissa, taxi-buses are a primary cause of congestion. "The problem that creates more traffic jams is with the taxi-buses. They stop anywhere," she explained. "Every day, we educate drivers not to park their vehicles here, but every day they return."

The problem that creates more traffic jams is with the taxi-buses. They stop anywhere. Every day, we educate drivers not to park their vehicles here, but every day they return.

— Clarisse Elumbu MaissaA CNPR agent explains the main cause of traffic congestion in Lubumbashi.

Beyond managing vehicle flow, CNPR agents also prioritize pedestrian safety. Gabby Okohé, another agent, highlighted this aspect of their work: "We are here to help them walk safely on the public road... We stop vehicles coming from the airport to allow pedestrians to cross. So we regulate the traffic of vehicles and that of pedestrians."

The city's infrastructure is strained by a continuously expanding vehicle fleet, leading to recurrent gridlock during peak hours. The sustained presence of CNPR agents, initiated in late 2025, represents a key strategy by authorities to improve traffic fluidity and adherence to road rules in Lubumbashi, the DRC's second-largest city.

We are here to help them walk safely on the public road. Look over there! We stop vehicles coming from the airport to allow pedestrians to cross. We regulate the traffic of vehicles and that of pedestrians.

— Gabby OkohéA CNPR agent describes the efforts to ensure pedestrian safety amidst traffic.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Radio Okapi in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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