Striving Across Multifaceted Borders: Congolese Disabled Cross-Border Traders Contending with Poliomyelitis and the COVID-19 Pandemic
摘要
This chapter examines the impact of the national political health regulations amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Congolese disabled cross-border informal traders, particularly those afflicted by poliomyelitis, at the Kinshasa-Brazzaville border post, Ngobila Beach. Operating within a complex socio-political landscape, these traders navigate triple borders, facing multifaceted barriers including physical limitations, economic uncertainties, and health risks. Through qualitative research methods including unstructured interviews, in situ observations, and in-depth life histories, the chapter analyses data to uncover the understudied effects of the adopted state's COVID-19 political health regulations on these disabled traders in the process of sustaining their livelihoods during the outbreak. The findings reveal that despite the resistance and resilience exhibited by disabled traders in protecting their business interests against state power and external events, the political health regulations adopted by the DRC government hindered their ability to continue their activities. Drawing on the notions of borders, Foucault's concept of power and theories on African states, the chapter argues that the political health regulations adopted to combat COVID-19 negatively impacted the informal cross-border trade activities of disabled traders in 2020. Additionally, it suggests that the lack of national strategies, specifically tailored to assist the informal economy sector, exacerbated the challenges faced by Congolese disabled cross-border informal traders more than the Corona virus itself. The findings shed light on the intricate interplay between disability, transnational trade, and global health crises, offering insights for policy interventions aimed at fostering inclusive economic development and public health resilience in border regions.