Maputo City Hall has announced a ban on informal street vending around the 25 de Junho Square in the city’s downtown area, effective June 14, 2026. The decision, recently communicated by the municipality, aims to preserve the aesthetic and historical significance of this key urban zone. The move highlights a recurring conflict between maintaining the city’s appearance and the economic needs of informal traders. The ban raises questions about how to address the cycle of prohibiting and suppressing informal commerce within the municipality. The justification provided by City Hall centers on the importance of protecting a strategically and historically valuable area of the city. This action is likely to impact the livelihoods of numerous vendors who rely on the square for income. Further discussion is needed to find sustainable solutions that balance preservation efforts with economic opportunities for informal workers.