DRC: Book industry players denounce incineration of works during Kinshasa sanitation operation
Book industry stakeholders in the Democratic Republic of Congo are condemning the incineration of thousands of books by the National Service during a sanitation operation in Kinshasa, demanding compensation and recognition for booksellers.
Intelligence analysis by Gemini 2.5 Flash
Writers, publishers, and booksellers in Kinshasa have labeled the destruction of books by the National Service as an "autodafé" and "act of inculture." They have submitted a memorandum to authorities, including President Félix Tshisekedi, calling for reparations, official recognition of booksellers, and dedicated spaces for book sales.
Imagine the city cleaners are tidying up the streets, but accidentally burn a street vendor's entire collection of books, like school books and storybooks. People who love reading and writing are very upset, saying it's like burning knowledge itself. They are asking the government to say sorry, pay the booksellers back for their lost books, and make sure booksellers have safe places to sell their books in the future.
Analysis
Service national
The National Service, an entity operating under the authority of the presidency in the Democratic Republic of Congo, initiated a large-scale sanitation campaign in Kinshasa in mid-July. The stated objectives of this operation were to reclaim illegally occupied public spaces and to clean up public areas across the capital. While the broader mission aims at urban improvement, its execution has sparked significant controversy.
One particular action by elements of the National Service, specifically on August 3rd, involved the burning of thousands of books. These works, which included school textbooks, scientific literature, literary pieces, and documentaries, belonged to street booksellers. This act of destruction, carried out as part of the public space clearing, has been met with widespread condemnation from various cultural and literary organizations within the country.
Pont Cabu
The specific incident that triggered the outcry occurred at the Cabu bridge, also known as the Kasa-Vubu bridge, in Kinshasa. It was at this location that the National Service personnel reportedly incinerated the extensive collection of books belonging to local booksellers. This site has become a focal point for the protests, symbolizing the perceived disregard for intellectual and cultural assets.
This is not an isolated incident, as signatories of the memorandum recall a similar event in September 2013, where books belonging to booksellers were also burned in Kinshasa. This historical recurrence underscores a persistent vulnerability for informal book vendors and raises questions about the consistent application of urban planning policies without adequate consideration for cultural and economic impacts.
Richard Ali
Richard Ali, the Secretary General of the Union of Congolese Writers (UECO), has emerged as a prominent voice advocating for the affected book industry players. Speaking on behalf of writers, publishers, and booksellers, Ali articulated the collective outrage, describing the burning of books as an "ignoble act" committed by individuals who seemingly "do not know the value of books." His statements emphasize the profound cultural loss and the disrespect shown towards knowledge and written memory.
Ali and the other signatories have put forth a series of demands to the Congolese state. These include the establishment of a commission to assess the losses and provide compensation to the victims, official recognition of the bookseller profession, the creation of dedicated spaces for selling books, and sustained public support for the entire book supply chain in Kinshasa and the wider DRC. They also propose the creation of a large public library to enhance reading infrastructure, firmly asserting that books are not refuse.
Key points
- The National Service in Kinshasa incinerated thousands of books during a sanitation operation in early August.
- Writers, publishers, and booksellers denounced the act as an "autodafé" and "act of inculture."
- A memorandum was sent to President Félix Tshisekedi and other officials, demanding compensation for victims.
- The book industry also calls for official recognition of the bookseller profession and dedicated selling spaces.
- This incident is a "historical recurrence," with similar book burnings reported in Kinshasa in September 2013.
Should the Congolese government heed the calls from the book industry, it could lead to a positive shift where booksellers receive fair compensation and their profession gains official recognition. This could foster the creation of dedicated cultural spaces and stronger public support for the entire book chain, ultimately enriching Kinshasa's intellectual landscape.
If the authorities ignore the demands for compensation and recognition, it could further marginalize booksellers and informal cultural vendors, leading to continued vulnerability of cultural heritage. This inaction might also signal a broader governmental disregard for intellectual property and the livelihoods of those contributing to public education and literature.
