Market vendors in the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo have voiced outrage at having to take down their stalls in advance of Pope Francis’ visit.
In order to prepare the city’s streets for the Pope’s visit at the end of the month, officials in Kinshasa claim to be doing so.
Some business owners said that the police had used excessive force, employing crowbars and bulldozers. They added that several people had lost everything they owned.
A grand welcome for Pope Francis will be held on Lumumba Boulevard, the main highway from the airport, which is one of the affected streets.
But the eviction of hawkers from the side streets surrounding the city center has them furious.
