Kinshasa, June 3, 2025 – The Provincial Minister of Infrastructure and Public Works of the City of Kinshasa, Alain Tshilungu, responded on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, to a current affairs question posed by elected representative Guylain MALAMBA. The aim was to inform both the provincial assembly and the national public about the ongoing demolition operation in the capital.

However, following the Minister’s initial responses, it was decided—according to the rules of procedure of the Provincial Assembly, which limit plenary sessions on current affairs questions to three hours—that the remainder of the session would be postponed to Wednesday, June 11, 2025. On that date, the Minister is expected to address the numerous concerns raised by the elected representatives.

Provincial elected representative Guylain MALAMBA sought further clarification on this matter of critical importance for the residents of Kinshasa. “I decided to pose this current affairs question to obtain clear answers and the necessary guarantees from the provincial

government, to ensure that the demolition of others’ constructions does not become a legal nightmare for the city of Kinshasa…,” stated the elected representative Guylain POHUNGU MALAMBA.

At the opening of the plenary session, the President of the Kinshasa Provincial Assembly emphasized the need for the elected representatives to remain focused on the subject during the discussions.

Speaking before the Assembly, Provincial Minister Alain TSHILUNGU first defined the concept of illegal construction. According to him, these are buildings or structures erected without adhering to urban planning regulations, without a building permit, and

without meeting safety and quality standards. Such constructions often violate property rights.

This situation is one of the major causes of the recurring floods in Kinshasa, stated the Minister. He recalled the damage caused by the rains since 2018, particularly those of April 2025, which left 70 dead, nearly 10 people missing, and more than 150 injured, according to the report presented at the 39ᵗʰ meeting of the Central Government’s Council of Ministers, held on April 11, 2025.

The Minister pointed to what he described as “poverty urbanism” as the root cause of this proliferation of illegal constructions. Acting on the instruction of President Félix Tshisekedi and in collaboration with the Central Government, the Bumba Administration  through the Provincial Ministries of Infrastructure and Environment, launched a large-scale operation to demolish all unauthorized constructions.

This campaign has the following main objectives:

• To free up public spaces, such as drains, rivers, and roads;
• To prevent natural disasters and loss of life;
• To restore the authority of the State in matters of urban planning.

The campaign is grounded in several legal texts, including Ordinance-Law No. 73-021 of July 20, 1973, which governs the general regime of property, land, and real estate; Interministerial Decree No. 0021 of October 29, 1993; Ordinance-Law No. 74-148 of July 2, 1974, commonly known as the “Land Law”; and Interministerial Decrees No.

0027/CAB/MIN-ETAT/AFF.FONC/ABM/2025 and No. 012/CAB/MIN-UH/CMP/MHN/2025 of February 27, 2025, which established a framework for coordination.

Minister Alain Tshilungu called on all members of parliament to engage in genuine collaboration to make Kinshasa an orderly city, where the lives of its citizens are safeguarded.

Following his intervention, the provincial elected representatives made several recommendations, including the involvement of elected officials from the affected sites prior to any demolition operation, the intensification of communication and public awareness efforts, and the granting of reasonable notice before any demolition action.

A new meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, June 11, 2025, to continue the plenary session, during which the Minister will address any outstanding concerns.

Communication Unit – Provincial Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works (MINITP-Kinshasa)