Congo (DRC)

Interview

‘Belgium in danger of missing the train of truth and reconciliation’

15 May 2023 -

Without apologies, reparations are incomplete, believes professor of African history and human rights expert Bonny Ibhawoh. If Belgium wants to offer credible criticism of human rights violations in Africa, it must also be able to name its own past violations. ‘Human rights are no selection menu.’

Editorial

‘It takes more than one dollar per Congolese to sustain the Central African forest’

3 April 2023 -

The world's most powerful lung is no longer the Amazon, but the Congo forest basin. MO* editor John Vandaele investigated how the international community protects the immense forest. The key question: can Congo boost its prosperity without cutting down its fragile forests? Some final thoughts.

Analysis

Are we giving enough to save the world's most powerful lung?

31 March 2023 -

The tropical forests in the Congo basin filter more CO2 from the air than the notably larger Amazon forest. This sounds positive, but these forests are rapidly disappearing. Several countries invest in conservation projects which, if they want to succeed, should also aid the fast-growing population.

Report

Why a Belgian supermarket chain is planting 12 million trees in Congo

30 March 2023 -

A major supermarket chain that wants to plant 12 million trees in Congo is to be climate-neutral: how does that work? And is Colruyt Group effectively on track to realise those ambitious climate plans by 2030? MO* journalist John Vandaele went on site and saw opportunities, but also challenges.

Report

How a Belgian reforestation promoter in Congo is trusted as a major employer

29 March 2023 -

MO* journalist John Vandaele travelled to Congo to visit NGO Faja Lobi, which was started ten years ago by Jurgen Heytens from Ghent. With many small donations, the organisation planted 3,000 hectares of forest in the savannahs of Kwilu and became the largest employer in the region.

Analysis

Fake news throws heavy smokescreens over eastern Congo

23 March 2023 -

Fake news is used purposefully and very strategically in Congo today — to score politically and diplomatically, to create a certain psychological climate, or simply to cover up hard facts. The greater the insecurity, the harder the rumour mill turns.

Analysis

‘If I want to, I can change my identity tomorrow’

21 March 2023 -

Congo’s official documents exist in a virtual reality. It takes a lot of time and money to obtain them. The failing administration widens the gap between the haves and the have-nots.

Opinion

‘Stop the impunity in eastern Congo’

30 December 2022 -

Following the recent massacre in eastern Congo, former minister Réginald Moreels, author David Van Reybrouck, political scientist and author Nadia Nsayi and others are calling for independent investigations to find out 'exactly what happened, and who is responsible for what crimes'.

Editorial

‘We must not get used to the horror in eastern Congo’

30 December 2022 -

On 29 November, yet another massacre took place in eastern Congo. The region has been plagued by ruthless violence for decades. Often the perpetrators are known, but they are rarely brought to justice. MO* contributor Kris Berwouts wonders who will stop this impunity.

Analysis

Russian mercenaries in exchange for African natural resources

12 December 2022 -

Two phenomena have been on the rise in recent years: privatised warfare and ultra-nationalist extremism in Russia. Its outflow is the infamous Wagner Group, the private military company that does not even officially exist. In recent years, Wagner has occupied more and more space in Africa.

Report

How Congo seeks prosperity that leaves its precious rainforest intact

6 December 2022 -

Congo wants to show itself as a country coming up with solutions to climate change. If it wants to succeed in that mission, the country will have to listen to the grievances of its ailing population. Useful first steps are taken, but the road is still long. “It takes time to change human habits.”

UN Photo/Sylvain Liechti (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Editorial

‘Congo is sick and tired of UN peacekeeping mission’

3 August 2022 -

MO* journalist and Congo expert Kris Berwouts worked six months for Monusco in 2015. He shares his experiences and explains why he understands the Congolese frustration.