On Saturday, August 24, 2024, the locality of Kasenyi in the Ituri Province was the venue for a pivotal meeting focused on environmental protection. Organized by the Congolese Association for Environment and Human Rights (ACEDH), this meeting brought together fishermen and community leaders from the Lake Albert area to discuss critical needs for legal support for environmental defenders in the region.
The meeting occurred at a particularly sensitive time as concerns about oil exploitation in the province are escalating. Alongside the President of the Lake Albert Fishermen, Mr. Olivier NDOOLE detailed the mission of ACEDH, emphasizing the defense of rights and freedoms of those engaged in climate protection.
Mr. NDOOLE highlighted that fishermen, by virtue of their occupation, are natural environmental defenders. However, they often face threats and violations of their rights due to their efforts to preserve the fishery resources of Lake Albert. This consultation aimed not only to understand the specific challenges faced by these defenders but also to encourage collaboration between the communities of Kasenyi and Chomia, both of which are particularly affected by the impacts of oil exploitation. The discussions revealed a growing awareness of the environmental and socio-economic effects of this exploitation, as well as a shared desire to implement concrete measures to mitigate these impacts. The participants expressed urgent needs for legal support, including:
- Training for Paralegals: Awareness of legal texts protecting climate defenders in the shores of Lake Edward.
- Capacity Building: Enhancing the skills of climate defenders and encouraging the exchange of experiences with actors from other regions.
- Legal Support for Associations: Assistance with the legal recognition of local environmental defense associations.
- Creation of a Climate Defenders Network: Establishment of a support network around Lake Albert.
The ACEDH initiative marks a significant turning point in how local communities in Ituri address the challenges associated with oil exploitation. The cooperation between fishermen and local community leaders represents a proactive response to increasing environmental threats, illustrating the communities’ willingness to take control of their future.
The President of the Fishermen, Mr. Moses Wecci, emphasized that the legal assistance and increased awareness provided by ACEDH are essential in addressing current challenges. This effort aligns with a collective desire to find balanced and equitable solutions to environmental issues. The initiative has been supported by Global Climate Legal Defense (CLIDEF), which manages a program to support climate defenders, as well as other international partners such as Environmental Law Alliance (ELAW) and Indigenous Land and Environmental Defenders (ALLIED). This international collaboration underscores the importance of global support in the fight for environmental justice and the rights of local communities.
This meeting between ACEDH and the Lake Albert fishermen marks a crucial step in the defense of environmental rights and the establishment of necessary legal support to address the challenges posed by oil exploitation in the region.
By The Editorial Team
