The Okapi Wildlife Reserve (RFO) issued a public statement on Saturday, April 19, 2024, a copy of which has been obtained by the kilalopress editorial team, regarding the apprehension of a group of armed men illegally exploiting minerals at the mining site in Bapela, located within the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (RFO) in the Mambasa territory, Ituri. The incident took place on the night of Thursday, April 17, according to the statement.
The reserve’s management, signatory to the statement, indicated that these armed individuals attacked the eco-guards patrolling the Bapela area. The document states that these armed men threatened the eco-guards, promising to take their lives with the weapons they were carrying.
In the press release, the RFO strongly condemns this latest provocation by illegal mineral exploiters, who are subject to the strictures of Law No. 14/003 of February 11, 2024, relating to nature conservation, specifically in its articles 71, 74, and 77, which prohibit mining in a protected area. The management of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve reassures that the apprehended men will be brought before the competent authorities to answer for their actions.
The RFO, in this document, draws attention to political and administrative authorities, civil society actors, opinion leaders, and youth regarding the common interest in safeguarding the integrity of the RFO against threats. It invites them to prioritize activities that are environmentally friendly and conducive to reconciling the well-being of the population with the imperatives of preserving the ecosystems and natural inhabitants sheltered within the Okapi Wildlife Reserve.
By Roger KAKULIRAHI