As 2024 comes to a close, Kilalopress had the opportunity to speak with Blaise Mudodosi, the National Coordinator of the non-governmental organization Actions for the Promotion and Protection of Threatened Peoples and Species (APEM), to review the situation of natural resources in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and discuss key challenges heading into 2025. Blaise Mudodosi reflects on the difficulties faced, particularly in the Haut-Uélé, South Kivu, and Tshopo provinces, and emphasizes the efforts of civil society to defend the rights of local communities in the face of natural resource exploitation.
Kilalopress: Mr. Blaise Mudodosi, the natural resources sector in the DRC has been facing turbulence for several years. As we approach 2025, how do you assess the situation, especially regarding the ongoing reforms and challenges related to transparency in this sector?
Blaise Mudodosi: It is clear that our country is going through a complex period, marked by concerns about transparency, efficiency, and the functioning of the state, particularly when it comes to natural resource exploitation. The reforms initiated by the government, although essential, face numerous challenges, such as influence peddling, corruption, and sometimes opaque management. However, if the state and policymakers demonstrate good faith, and if the actions of civil society organizations like ours are reinforced, we can hope to bring more order and accountability to the management of this strategic sector.
Kilalopress: Recently, 17 Chinese nationals were captured in South Kivu, but released following an intervention by the government. What is your perspective on this situation, which shocked public opinion?
Blaise Mudodosi: This situation indeed shocked many. The facts are clear: these Chinese nationals were involved in illegal activities, particularly in mining, and should have been brought to justice. However, political pressures and influences from Kinshasa allowed for their release, raising serious questions about the functioning of our state and the collaboration between the central and provincial authorities. This case highlights the two-tiered justice system that exists in the DRC. On one hand, some individuals, often foreigners, are untouchable, while their local collaborators, including Congolese nationals, face the full force of the law. This phenomenon is not limited to the mining sector; it is also evident in the forestry sector, where concessions have been granted based on influence-peddling. It is urgent to end this situation, which fuels impunity and the illegal exploitation of natural resources.
Kilalopress: Haut-Uélé is currently experiencing a tense situation, particularly with the forced eviction of communities in the village of Mege under pressure from the provincial government and law enforcement, in favor of Kibali Gold Mine. What is your opinion on this situation?
Blaise Mudodosi: What is happening in Haut-Uélé is a blatant violation of the rights of local communities. The displaced communities were not consulted, and their land rights were not respected. The Congolese Constitution and laws are clear: communities are entitled to fair and just compensation when displaced for public interest projects. In this case, I do not believe the necessary legal processes were properly followed. Respect for the rights of local populations, particularly their rights to land and natural resources, must be a priority. This is where our role as a civil society organization is crucial: we must educate communities about their rights and help them assert these rights in a peaceful and legal manner.
Kilalopress: In Tshopo province, the reconciliation between local authorities in Lubunga, after a prolonged conflict with the agro-pastoral company CAP CONGO, has been praised. What do you think about this?
Blaise Mudodosi: Reconciliation is an important process, but it is not enough to simply sign agreements to resolve a conflict sustainably. The root causes of the problem must first be addressed, such as violations of community rights and the mismanagement of land concessions. If the affected communities are not compensated or if their rights are not fully recognized and rectified, it is likely that these tensions will resurface in the future. Justice must be restored, and the necessary reparations must be made to ensure peaceful and lasting coexistence between the Mbole and Lengola communities, the two parties involved.
Kilalopress: What concrete actions has APEM put in place to help communities enforce their rights, especially regarding the exploitation of natural resources?
Blaise Mudodosi: APEM works directly with communities on the ground in several provinces, including South Kivu, Tshopo, Tshuapa, and Mai-Ndombe. We raise awareness about their rights and responsibilities in the context of natural resource conservation or exploitation, whether it concerns forests, mines, or biodiversity. We train them on how to defend their rights and use legal avenues, including complaint mechanisms and available judicial pathways. We have found that a well-informed and trained community is more likely to make its voice heard and ensure its rights are respected. We are also working to strengthen the advocacy capacity of communities because advocacy led by the populations themselves is always more powerful and credible than that led by intermediaries.
Kilalopress: Do you have a message for the communities you support as we close out 2024?
Blaise Mudodosi: 2024 has been a year full of challenges, but also of victories. The communities we support are starting to better understand their rights, and the efforts we are making to help them defend those rights are beginning to bear fruit. In 2025, we will continue to support them because we firmly believe that sustainable development cannot exist without responsible and participatory management of natural resources, and without local communities being at the heart of this process. We encourage them to stay united, to peacefully defend their rights through legal means, and to continue to demand justice. Development without them is not true development. We must support each other in moving towards a future where natural resources benefit everyone, without destroying the environment or infringing on the rights of indigenous peoples.
Kilalopress: Thank you very much for this interview, Mr. Mudodosi. We wish you an excellent end to the year and much success in your actions in 2025.
Blaise Mudodosi: Thank you, and I want to thank all the local communities and indigenous peoples we collaborate with. Together, we can turn challenges into opportunities. Let’s continue to fight for a more just and equitable future.
As we approach 2025, expectations remain high regarding the implementation of reforms and justice for all.
By Kilalopress
