Empty streets and silent markets mark the opposition’s protest day

The city that typically springs to life at dawn remained unusually quiet. Taxis were scarce, schools saw minimal attendance, and most shops remained shuttered while the usually chaotic traffic jams were conspicuously absent. This unprecedented calm blanketed several neighborhoods across the capital.

Mont-Amba district: a ghost of its usual self

In the Mont-Amba district, usually teeming with students rushing to the University of Kinshasa by 7:50 AM, the roads were nearly deserted. Police officers lined Intendance Road, their presence a stark contrast to the typical student rush. Public transport stops stood empty, and gas stations hesitated to open, with the Salongo station among those closed. Military vehicles patrolled Bypass Avenue while the normally busy Ngaba roundabout remained eerily quiet until 8:00 AM.

Limete commune: transportation all but vanishes

Limete, known for its heavy traffic along Lumumba and Poids Lourds boulevards, saw a dramatic reduction in activity. Public transport was nearly nonexistent, with only a single bus operating until 7:00 AM, according to a local resident. Many vehicle owners opted to keep their cars off the roads to avoid potential disturbances. Police patrols intensified, with officers stationed at critical points throughout the commune, particularly at the first street.