World Wetlands Day: Activists urge govt to safeguard Virunga National Park from oil exploitation

Ahead of World Wetlands Day, climate activists in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are passionately urging the Congolese government to safeguard Virunga National Park by canceling any active licenses for oil exploration in the park. Virunga, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979 and a Ramsar site since 1996, is celebrated for its significant wetland areas and diverse biodiversity. The park faces imminent threats from extractive activities, due to the issuance of licenses for oil exploration in blocks located in the park, by the government.

In addition, activists have raised concern with the Congolese government’s plan to auction 30 oil and gas blocks, 9 of which are within Cuvette Centrale in the Congo basin placing the sensitive ecosystem and the well-being of local communities in jeopardy. In response to the project’s launch in July 2022, environmental activists and civil society actors have persistently protested, calling on authorities to protect the sensitive ecosystems in line with conservation laws and international conventions on the same.

As the global climate crisis intensifies, the activists emphasize the urgency of exploring sustainable pathways built on readily available renewable energy sources, thereby mitigating the adverse effects of fossil fuel exploration

Christian Hounkannou, Regional Organizer at 350Africa.org said “In the face of ecological urgency, we stand as guardians, urging the world to echo the plea: Preserve Virunga, today, on World Wetlands Day. The Democratic Republic of Congo grapples with a pivotal moment, as the unsettling news of oil and gas block sales carry on. We, the climate organizers of Africa, declare: Our wetlands are not for sale, our legacy is not for compromise. Together, we rise against the tides of short-sighted gains, championing a sustainable future”.

Johnnyta Roy, a climate activist from the Youth Movement for Environmental Protection (MJPE-RDC) states, “World Wetlands Day serves as a platform to shed light on the important role wetlands plays in mitigating the impacts of climate change. We urge the government to take the necessary measures to alleviate the threats to these critical ecosystems by canceling active oil exploration licenses in Virunga National Park and the sale of oil and gas blocks within the Congo basin.”

Justin Mutabesha, an activist with FossilFreeVirunga, stated, “This year, we remain committed to mobilizing grassroots communities against the destructive project threatening Virunga National Park. The park is a lifeline for thousands of communities, and we are resolute in our efforts to thwart this perilous venture.”

Despite calls from national and international environmental organizations, the Congolese government has yet to provide a favorable response regarding the cancellation of the auction of 30 oil and gas blocks.