President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo met with distressed residents in Kinshasa on Monday following devastating flash floods that claimed at least 33 lives.
The floods, which struck the capital over the weekend, left many families homeless and caused widespread damage.
Tshisekedi, accompanied by his wife, Denise Nyakeru, visited a stadium transformed into an emergency shelter for roughly 600 displaced people.
The president was met with anger, as residents expressed frustration over the government’s response to the disaster. One resident, visibly upset, told Tshisekedi, “Dad, you left your children in the street.”
Flooding is a recurring issue in Kinshasa, exacerbated by poor infrastructure and inadequate sewerage systems.
The city, home to an estimated 17 million people, struggles with blocked drainage pipes in many impoverished neighborhoods.
These areas, with makeshift housing and unpaved streets, are particularly vulnerable to flooding.
Residents took aim at the president, calling him “a man of concrete” for his promises that have yet to bring tangible improvements.
Tshisekedi, surrounded by members of the Republican Guard, reassured the crowd with a brief statement: “Stay healthy and may the Lord protect you,” before departing.
The floods have affected at least 5,000 families, with around 50 people hospitalized.
The waters that had submerged major roads on Sunday, including the main route to the airport, began receding on Monday, allowing traffic to slowly return.
As Kinshasa recovers, the president faces mounting pressure to address the city’s infrastructure failures and deliver meaningful change to its vulnerable residents.
