Moise Katumbi an opposition leader under the ‘Together for the Republic’ political party in DRC has said that if he wins elections will cancel all licences for oil drilling in the country’s Virunga National Park.
DRC is bracing for the forthcoming presidential elections scheduled for December this year.
Katumbi said he would cancel a controversial plan to allow drilling for oil and gas in one of the world’s most important carbon sinks if he wins an election later this year.
Plans to drill in 30 blocks, several of which overlap with the world’s largest tropical peatlands, has drawn criticism from climate activists and a plea from US climate envoy John Kerry to halt part of the program. His request was rebuffed by President Felix Tshisekedi last year.
Environmental activists and the people who speak out against this plan, argue that DRC government should prioritize the environment and local communities.
“Rather than favoring the interests of oil licensees. The government must act in the interest of its people by protecting them and creating opportunities that are conducive to the livelihoods of the communities and that protect the natural resources of the region,” says André Moliro, an environmental activist in the DRC.
The Virunga and Salonga national parks are located in the heart of the equatorial forest of the Congo Basin, which covers more than 2 million square kilometers.
It is considered the second green lung of the planet after the Amazon forest, which makes it a strategic area in the fight against global warming.
“Any oil activity in and around the park could permanently damage the rich ecosystems and biodiversity of the area and negatively impact hundreds of thousands of community members who depend on the park’s resources and activities,” explains Landry Ninteretse of 350Africai.org.
