In Congo, after five years of work, the two tallest towers in Brazzaville were inaugurated on October 23, 2023 in the presence of the Congolese head of state Denis Sassou-Nguesso. They rise to 135.8 meters in height and their construction required 174 billion CFA francs (around 285 million euros), thanks to cooperation with China.
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With our correspondent in Brazzaville, Loicia Martial
Rond-Point Saint-Tropez, Mpila district. The sun is at its zenith. Eugène looks up at the two twin towers which are close to the clouds and overlook the Congo River. For him and many other Brazzaville residents who came to attend the official commissioning ceremony of these all-glass buildings, the splendor is no longer to be observed only in the city center.
“ This is the first time we’ve seen the twin towers like thishe emphasizes. It makes the city beautiful. Like that, it’s good “. Another explains: “ Two twin towers, we tended to only see them in other countries. » A third believes: “ Brazzaville has turned its back on the river over time. The twin towers mark a city which will now look towards the river. The twin towers are the beginnings of this starting point of a city which will turn towards the river. »
One of the two towers houses a five-star hotel and the other houses offices. For this citizen who requested anonymity, who wants to be critical, the authorities are rather building infrastructure for the wealthier classes, instead of building social housing to accommodate average Congolese: “ There is a regret because, alongside these towers, there are many people who even sleep under the stars. We drove around this neighborhood, the reality is sad. »
This project was born in this neighborhood which was blown up by the explosions of a Congolese army arms and ammunition depot in 2012.
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