Outrage is mounting in Ituri following the arrest of four alleged ivory traffickers, including a United Nations agent. Their arrest on August 4, 2023, has brought to light a dark network of ivory trafficking threatening the fragile ecosystem of the region.
Frank Mambweni Biyambu, Jean-Paul Alipakwa, Jules Urie Wun, and Christophe Ozunga Ley are now associated with the destruction of fauna and flora. Their actions not only violate the laws of the Democratic Republic of Congo but also the international conventions for environmental protection.
The involvement of an alleged UN agent in this trafficking raises troubling questions. What is the actual status of Franck Mambweni, holder of a presumed UN card? And why was the Monusco office in Bunia unable to provide clear information on this matter?
The provincial government is closely monitoring this situation and calls for vigilance. We cannot afford to remain silent in the face of these actions that destroy our natural heritage and infringe upon our sovereignty. This is the first time an ivory trafficking network has been uncovered in the Ituri province.
This case highlights the urgent need to strengthen environmental protection measures and fight against corruption. We ask the authorities to take severe and immediate measures to end this illegal trade. The guilty parties must be brought to justice and punished accordingly.
We cannot tolerate our natural heritage being pillaged and the integrity of our institutions compromised. Let this case serve as a wake-up call to all. It is high time to take measures to protect our environment and ensure the integrity of our institutions. The future of our region, our country, and our planet is at stake.
Joel Heri Bunjo