Lieutenant General Aguru Mamba Maurice, former commander of the CorPPN, has issued a pressing appeal to the international community following the occupation of the strategic base of Rwindi in the Virunga National Park by the M23 terrorist group. This takeover, which has lasted for over a month, has sparked outrage from Maurice, emphasizing the vital importance of nature conservation in this strategic region.
The Virunga National Park, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Ramsar site for its rich fauna and flora, lies at the heart of this crisis. The occupation by rebels insensitive to ecosystem preservation constitutes a blatant violation of the neutrality statutes in times of peace and war of protected areas. “The presence of M23 in protected areas is serious and a violation. Protected areas have neutrality statutes in times of peace and war. Attacking them is a violation. There are conventions on natural heritage that exist. The international community has an obligation to intervene in case of violation of these areas; there are texts and conventions that exist, and they must be enforced,” said former CorPPN commander Lieutenant General Aguru Mamba Maurice.
The lieutenant general stressed that such actions are not only serious but also punishable under international conventions on environmental protection.
Maurice urged the international community to act in accordance with existing texts and conventions to preserve protected areas and denounce ecosystem violations. He emphasized that the presence of M23 not only compromises the security of park rangers and monitoring teams but also jeopardizes the biodiversity of Virunga Park, already weakened by persistent insecurity.
The occupation of the Rwindi base occurred without major confrontation, leaving surrounding localities, including the Vitshumbi fishery on the shores of Lake Edward, under rebel control. This situation has led to a withdrawal of peacekeepers and an alarming deterioration in the security climate in the region. Maurice emphasized the urgency of holding those responsible for these acts accountable and compelling them to leave the area to prevent irreparable environmental damage.
The lieutenant general encouraged political-administrative authorities and the director of the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation to continue the project of electrifying the Virunga National Park to ensure the protection of this 99-year-old natural gem and UNESCO heritage. This call to international action by Lieutenant General Aguru Mamba Maurice highlights the seriousness of the situation and underscores the urgent need for immediate intervention to preserve this invaluable natural treasure.
By Franck Zongwe Lukama