In a statement made on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, the Group of Workers and Executives for the Reconstruction of the DRC (GTCRR) in the province of Kwilu expressed its desire for the resumption of activities of the PIREDD Kwilu program and called for the abandonment of the legal situation initiated by Mr. Calliste, advisor of the PIREDD Kwilu project, against Mr. Kuno, an expert from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in the DRC.
Environmental civil society actors in the province of Kwilu have expressed their dismay at the evolution of this legal situation, which has led to the suspension of activities in the field, affecting the local beneficiary communities and the province as a whole. Recognizing the positive impact of the PIREDD project in combating climate change, sustainable natural resource management, reducing deforestation rates in the province of Kwilu, and in fighting poverty among riverside communities, the GTCRR of Kwilu has strongly condemned Mr. Calliste’s behavior and discouraged any legal action against PIREDD and JICA experts.
The GTCRR of Kwilu has made several recommendations, including calling on the deputy prime minister of the interior to take urgent measures to ensure the security of JICA experts in the province of Kwilu, and urging the deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs to get involved in ensuring the continuity of cooperation with Japan and to create a climate of trust between JICA and the DRC.
By news team