The demolition of stalls and containers at Matoto Marché-Parc in Guinea began on Sunday, November 8, 2026, amid tension and despair. Despite protests from affected traders, demolition equipment accompanied by police and gendarmerie personnel arrived at 9 am to destroy the installations. The operation left several traders lamenting significant material losses and denouncing the destruction of their stalls. Soumah Mohamed, a trader at Matoto Marché-Parc, expressed shock at the sudden demolition.
Soumah Mohamed recounted that he was at home when colleagues informed him of the arrival of pick-up trucks with representatives from the governorate and municipality to proceed with the demolition. He stated that the agents' explanations on-site did not alleviate traders' concerns. According to him, several stalls were destroyed, resulting in substantial losses for their owners. Soumah Mohamed also alleged that the demolition exceeded the initially planned limits, with some unaffected stalls being destroyed.
The trader questioned the authorities' decision, stating that traders who have operated on the site for over 20 years are being sacrificed for other occupants. Soumah Mohamed called on the authorities, particularly President General Mamadi Doumbouya, to find a solution for the displaced traders. He requested assistance from the Minister of Commerce and the Minister of Territorial Administration to secure an alternative workspace.
In response to the situation, Matoto Mayor Moussa Diallo justified the demolition, citing the need to reorganize the market and allocate space for female traders installed along the road. He explained that the market was initially intended for cattle trading but evolved into a commercial hub due to population growth. The mayor stated that previous authorities had provisionally allowed women to occupy part of the market pending a permanent solution.
Mayor Moussa Diallo described the current occupation of the market as chaotic, with some traders occupying spaces meant for others. He mentioned that certain traders had set up bars, food stalls, and even brothels within the market, which he deemed incompatible with its commercial purpose. The mayor had previously attempted to establish a schedule allowing female traders to operate in the morning and vacate the premises for other traders.
The demolition has left traders uncertain about their future. Soumah Mohamed and others are seeking alternative solutions and assistance from the authorities. The incident highlights the challenges faced by traders in Guinea and the need for effective market management.
The situation at Matoto Marché-Parc remains unresolved, with traders awaiting a response from the authorities. Mayor Moussa Diallo's efforts to reorganize the market aim to address the issue of occupation and ensure a more orderly and functional commercial environment.
Key points
- Traders at Matoto Marché-Parc face uncertainty after demolition of their stalls.
