Construction on the Feux Madagascar-Cité Verte section in Yaoundé resumed on March 23, 2026, following intervention by the Governor of the Centre region. This resumption follows a public disagreement between the Yaoundé City Council and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MINHDU) regarding the management of the works.
The conflict arose due to a delay in the rehabilitation of this section, which is crucial in anticipation of Pope Leo XIV's visit. The Minister of Housing, Célestine Ketcha Courtes, had appointed a company to speed up the work, an initiative contested by the Mayor of Yaoundé, Luc Messi Atangana, who had already granted an additional deadline to the company initially in charge. The situation escalated when the Minister went to City Hall to demand the release of workers arrested by the municipal police, according to Equinoxe TV.
Faced with this crisis, the Governor of the Centre region intervened on the instructions of the "Very High Authorities" to allow Arab Contractors to resume work. The Ministry of Housing specified that this intervention aimed to remove all equipment blocking the site.
Arab Contractors, an Egyptian public works company, is a major player in the construction sector in Cameroon. The company has already carried out several infrastructure projects in the country. The resumption of work by Arab Contractors was welcomed by local residents, a sign of relief at the disruption caused by the work stoppage.
This conflict highlighted a fundamental question: the division of responsibilities for urban works in the Cameroonian capital. It pits a mayor concerned about his territorial authority against a ministry eager to accelerate projects, especially with important deadlines approaching, such as the papal visit.
Pope Leo XIV's visit is scheduled from April 15 to 18, 2026, and will include stops in Yaoundé, Bamenda and Douala. The program includes meetings with political and religious authorities, as well as visits to charitable works. This event represents a major challenge for Cameroon, both spiritually and diplomatically.
The resumption of work by Arab Contractors is good news for local residents and road users, who hope for a quick resolution to traffic problems. It remains to be seen whether the works will be completed in time for the papal visit, a major challenge for all stakeholders.
