Traffic on the Mambasa-Beni corridor has been disrupted again following the collapse of the Ituri II bridge on National Road 44. The structure gave way on Sunday, June 7, cutting off traffic along the strategic route linking Ituri province to North Kivu, according to the Mambasa territorial branch of the Nouvelle Société Civile Congolaise (NSCC).

Spanning the Ituri River, the Ituri II bridge is a key crossing for transporters, traders and travelers moving between Mambasa in Ituri and Beni in North Kivu. The corridor also supports trade with other parts of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, including Tshopo province.

The latest disruption affects a region already weakened by insecurity caused by attacks by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels. Local stakeholders warn that the suspension of traffic could complicate market supplies, restrict the movement of people and hamper the transport of goods between the two provinces.

The incident has renewed concerns about the bridge's durability. The Ituri II bridge previously collapsed on March 13, 2023, after an overloaded truck crossed it, causing a prolonged interruption of traffic along the Mambasa-Beni route.

After several months of rehabilitation work carried out by the Roads Authority (Office des Routes) with support from the National Road Maintenance Fund (FONER), traffic officially resumed in March 2024. Authorities urged road users to comply with weight restrictions to protect the infrastructure.

Logistical Impact

Concerns about the bridge's condition had already been raised in recent months. Local sources reported the deteriorating state of several structures along the Makeke-Mambasa corridor, including the Ituri II bridge, in March 2026, prompting restrictions on heavy vehicles.

For businesses and transport operators, the latest disruption could drive up logistics costs. During the 2023 collapse, transporters were forced to rely on pirogue crossings, leading to delays, higher expenses and difficulties moving goods across the river.

The interruption could also reduce revenues generated by road traffic and commercial activity in the area, as was reported during the previous closure. No official estimate of economic losses or timeline for repairs has yet been announced.

The immediate priority is to conduct a technical assessment of the structure, determine the causes of the collapse and establish a temporary solution to restore traffic between Mambasa and Beni.

 Boaz Kabeya