Heavy truck drivers' strike suspended, tensions persist on National Road 1

The heavy truck drivers' strike on National Road 1 was suspended on October 15 after three days of disruption, though tensions remain in Kongo-Central. Launched in Matadi on October 10, the strike protested the failure to apply the guaranteed interprofessional minimum wage, the lack of employment contracts, and the proliferation of illegal roadblocks, disrupting trade and operations at the ports of Matadi and Boma. The president of the transporters' federation reported intimidation and assaults against drivers who chose not to strike. Federation vice-president Jani Nsingi said the provincial authorities had suspended the strike and would take action against those responsible for public disorder.