A group of female vendors at Kindia's main market staged a protest on November 2, marching through the streets of the city. They carried placards reading "Long live Mamadi Doumbouya; Down with the Kindia market lease." The protesters, who were previously evicted from the market, are demanding the return of their former stalls. They claim that they were promised new stalls but were instead relocated to a site with inadequate facilities.
The protesters, led by Hadja Marie, president of the vendors, expressed frustration with the local authorities, accusing them of making unfulfilled promises. They claim that they continue to pay daily taxes despite being evicted from the market. The vendors are now forced to sell their goods on the streets, risking their lives. Hadja Marie called on the President of the Republic, Mamadi Doumbouya, to intervene and help them regain their former stalls.
The vendors also expressed disappointment with the current state of the market, which they claim has been ceded to commercial developers at the expense of the female vendors. They pointed out that the butchers were previously evicted and later relocated, but the female vendors have not been given a similar opportunity. Bountouraby Camara, an etaler, echoed similar sentiments, stating that they were promised new stalls but were instead given multi-story buildings converted into shops.
Fatoumata Sylla, a vendor, highlighted the struggles of the female vendors, who rely on the market to support their families. She expressed regret over the current situation, where they have been evicted from their former stalls and are now being forced to sell on the streets. The vendors are calling on the President to provide them with alternative stalls to support their families.
The protest was short-lived, as the gendarmerie intervened, dispersing the protesters with tear gas. The local authorities have maintained radio silence on the issue. The vendors are determined to continue their fight, demanding that their voices be heard. They claim that they have been ignored by successive municipal authorities.
The situation in Kindia highlights the challenges faced by female vendors in Guinea, who often rely on informal markets to support their families. The leasing of the market has left many vendors without a source of income, forcing them to take to the streets to sell their goods. The vendors are calling for a solution that will allow them to continue their livelihoods.
The protest in Kindia is a reflection of the broader issues faced by vendors in Guinea, where the leasing of markets has become a contentious issue. The vendors are demanding a fair solution that will allow them to continue their livelihoods. The outcome of the protest remains uncertain, but the vendors have vowed to continue their fight.
Key points
- The protest was led by Hadja Marie, president of the vendors, who called on the President of the Republic to intervene.
- The vendors claim that they continue to pay daily taxes despite being evicted from the market.
- The leasing of the market has left many vendors without a source of income, forcing them to take to the streets to sell their goods.
