Since the beginning of February 2024, there has been growing criticism over the silence of the governor of North Kivu in the face of the encroachment on Virunga National Park and threats against environmental defenders.
Public Discontent and Allegations of Corruption
- The population of North Kivu has expressed dissatisfaction with the governor’s inaction regarding the Nzulo issue, which continues to generate concern.
- There are allegations of corruption and suspicions surrounding the previous governor’s decision to allow the occupation of Nzulo by invaders and other malicious actors in an attempt to seize land from Virunga National Park.
Lack of Action and Concerns
- The deputy commander of CorPPN, General Benoit Kisuki Mathe, revealed that the military governor of North Kivu is in possession of a court decision prohibiting constructions in the Nzolu area of Virunga Park but has not taken steps to enforce it.
- The absence of a response from the governor, despite correspondences from environmental civil society organizations, demonstrates a worrying lack of interest in a matter endangering the lives of environmental defenders.
Allegations of High-Level Involvement
- Some analysts fear the involvement of high-ranking individuals in the illegal seizure of the park, suggesting that they may have visited the Nzulo area in collusion with the occupiers and even benefited from land despite public outcry.
- Environmental civil society organizations have alerted to death threats against environmental defenders and have called on the provincial government to ensure their safety and take urgent measures to protect them.
- The responsibility of the governor of North Kivu is being called into question in this matter, and there are legitimate concerns within the population regarding the lack of concrete measures to investigate these allegations and ensure the safety of threatened environmental actors.
The future of Virunga National Park and the safety of those defending it depend on the responsiveness and integrity of the political authorities. It is imperative that concrete measures be taken to investigate these allegations, ensure the safety of threatened environmental actors, and restore the population’s trust in provincial authorities.
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