Passenger service has finally resumed on the main line of the Congo-Ocean Railway (CFCO) that links Pointe-Noire and Brazzaville after a seven-year hiatus.
Since April 27, one train per week has been connecting Congo’s two largest cities, providing a convenient means of transport for passengers like Sage Mayetela.
The closure of the railway in 2016 was due to the destruction of bridges in the southern Pool region during clashes between Congolese security forces and ex-ninja fighters.
Although freight traffic was reopened in November 2018, passengers had to wait for an additional five years for the service to resume.
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The 510-kilometer journey, which lasts for 16 hours, elicited mixed feelings from passengers. Bestman Esaïe, a shopkeeper, described the slow journey due to the state of the road, while Germain la Fontaine expressed concerns about the train’s facilities.
Transport Minister Honoré Sayi acknowledged the aging infrastructure of the Congo-Ocean Railway but expressed his ambition to launch refurbishment works.
As a vital corridor in the sub-regional transit, the minister emphasized the importance of moving forward with the railroad’s development and overcoming challenges through collaboration with major donors and determined Congolese.
The Congo-Ocean Railway has long been the lifeline of the Congolese economy, serving as the sole land route between Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire. However, it now faces competition from a newly constructed paved road, a result of Chinese cooperation.
The resumption of passenger service on the Congo-Ocean Railway brings renewed hope for connectivity and economic growth, while efforts to modernize and maintain the railway’s infrastructure will be crucial for its continued success in the face of evolving transportation options.
