On May 2nd, 2024, Olivier Bahemuke Ndoole officially received the Global Citizen Prize in New York, in front of several prominent figures. This award, which he dedicated to all peasant defenders worldwide and particularly in the Congo, highlights his remarkable commitment to environmental justice and human rights.
Olivier Bahemuke Ndoole has dedicated his life to advocating for human and environmental rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. His resolute words resonate: “You cannot put a price on this work. If death happens, it will have been worth dying for.”
Hailing from North Kivu, a region plagued by decades of deadly conflicts, Ndoole tirelessly fights for the rights of local communities and the preservation of the environment. The DRC has been ravaged by violence, resulting in millions of deaths and displacing millions more. This crisis has led to widespread famine and deadly outbreaks, including cholera.
North Kivu, bordering Uganda and Rwanda, is rich in natural resources, including the Virunga National Park, one of Africa’s most diverse areas. However, these riches have also been a source of conflict, with armed groups illegally exploiting resources and committing atrocities against local populations.
Witnessing the suffering inflicted upon his people, Ndoole chose the path of law to seek justice. Dubbed the “Green Lawyer,” he fights for the rights of Virunga Park workers and local communities facing land expropriation. In 2008, he co-founded an NGO providing legal support to victims of land and environmental conflicts.
One of his landmark cases involves a land dispute between former workers of a Belgian-owned tea plantation and a local rebel group. Despite facing death threats and brutal attacks, Ndoole refuses to be silenced. His determination has been recognized internationally, and he recently received the Global Citizen Prize for his courage and commitment.
Despite the dangers to his life, Ndoole remains undaunted. For him, protecting the environment and defending human rights are inseparable. His struggle embodies hope for a better future in the DRC.
By Franck zongwe Lukama