Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo's Equateur province have closed 71 private ports deemed illegal in an operation launched in early November. The measure, ordered by Governor Dieudonné Bobo Boloko, is disrupting supply chains for the city of Mbandaka.

The ports were targeted for failing to meet legal requirements, including the absence of a concession title, certification of approval, or an operating license.

Among the closed ports, the Bralima port has drawn particular attention. It was long used for the arrival of food supplies from Kinshasa and from camps along the river. Local authorities have described the closure as a provisional measure, conditional on the submission of missing documents to a commission overseeing the operation.

This closure campaign fits a broader national context. In May 2025, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Jean-Pierre Bemba circulated a list of 240 unapproved river and lake ports to be closed immediately. This was in accordance with resolutions from the 2020 Council of Ministers and presidential directives on securing river and lake navigation.

Boaz Kabeya