By RFIPosted on 18-12-2019Changed on 18-12-2019 at 11:20

In Kigali, residents of informal structures are forced to destroy their homes and move, in several neighborhoods. For the past few days, the authorities have ordered the evacuation of certain areas of the capital that are at risk of flooding or landslides.

According to the town hall, Kigali includes 7,600 hectares of wetlands. More than 7,000 buildings would be affected, homes, but also commercial buildings or garages. In the slum of Bannyahe, the residents denounce an injustice.

Perched on a wall, a young man dismantles a tin roof with a hammer. In the muddy alleys, residents carry the rubble of their houses on their backs. Innocent, 65, has nine children. He owned five small rooms at the bottom of the Bannyahe slum.

“ I could live on what I earned by renting these rooms. How will I survive now ? I'm an old man , he says. I built these rooms in full view of the authorities. I bought this property with my money. It’s really unfair. I will no longer be able to pay my children's school fees. They told us that if we did not destroy our homes ourselves, they would put those who resist in prison. "

The locals don't want to leave

The locals know that they have been leaving for about two years. But so far, they had not resolved it. In recent days, some have received around 60,000 Rwandan francs from the authorities, others have not. Fabrice is one of the lucky ones. “ 60,000 Rwandan francs is not enough. How would you like to rent accommodation with that ? For how many months ? They just destroy. They did not pay us. "

In Bannyahe, around sixty houses are affected according to the inhabitants. In a press release, the town hall of Kigali ensures that the aim of the operation is to protect the population against the risks linked to bad weather. The city indicates that those who have title deeds will be compensated, without specifying either the date or the amount.

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