Recently, the City Mayor of Yaoundé, Luc Messi Atangana, issued an ultimatum prohibiting street vendors from occupying pedestrian walkways. He urged them to move into community stores the council has built within the market premises.
This directive, the mayor argued, aims to improve public order, reduce traffic congestion, and enhance cleanliness in market areas.
However, the announcement has sparked mixed reactions among street vendors, who rely on hawking to sustain their families.
Vendors express frustration, citing the prohibitive costs of renting community stores.
“The stores are too expensive. Where would I get 400,000 francs to pay for a store every month?” lamented a vendor at the Etoudi market.
Another vendor expressed these concerns. She stated, “They just want us to occupy their poorly constructed structures hidden within the market. How are we supposed to gain visibility in such hidden areas?”
Skepticism about the seriousness of the directive is also widespread.
Vendors recall similar announcements in the past that authorities never enforced.
One vendor recounted his experience from 2014: “The Council made a similar announcement. I paid 100,000 francs for a store but never used it. Here I am, back on the streets.”
While many street vendors perceive the new order as a threat to their livelihood, other citizens support the mayor’s initiative, seeing it as a necessary step toward restoring order and alleviating traffic congestion.
A taxi driver pointed out, “You see how tight the road is. It can take more than an hour to get through because of these street vendors. Inside the market, there are empty spaces they can use, but they believe they can only earn a living on the street.”
Some residents believe the measure will also reduce street litter and improve hygiene.
Passersby note that street vendors often sell perishable goods and leave waste behind without proper disposal.
This contributes to blocked gutters and flooding.
“These women selling oranges just dump their refuse into the gutters. That’s how they get blocked, causing floods,” a young woman complained.
As the January 20, 2025, deadline approaches, many citizens are curious to see whether the Mayor will rigorously enforce the new directive.
Past efforts have failed due to the difficulty of regulating street vendors.
While some remain hopeful, others doubt that significant change will occur.
