25th May 2009
UN Security Council’s Report speaks out on the destruction of Virunga’s Forests
The UN Security Council has strongly backed the briquette programme in Virunga. The charcoal trade is not only destroying the habitat of the mountain gorilla at an alarmingly fast rate but the profits from it are going straight to the FDLR (Interahamwe), responsible for the Rwandan genocide. They hide out in the Virunga NP forests, are a great threat to the rangers and are profiting from the illegal trade in charcoal. The UN Security Council have now formally recognised the part played by this rebel group and hopefully this will encourage international donors to back the briquette programme, as a serious alternative to charcoal. This is an extract from the report:
*The Group has gathered information on intense charcoal production controlled by FDLR in the Virunga National Park, along with other forms of exploitation of the Park’s resources. The Group is concerned about the continued presence of FDLR elements in the Park who obstruct the activities of the Institut congolais pour la conservation de la nature by perpetrating frequent attacks on its rangers during patrols to stop illegal charcoal-making activities. The Group has also received verified information that FDLR elements are collecting a charcoal tax imposed on civilians.
* The Group of Experts is encouraged by the Institute’s (ICCN) initiative to promote production of combustible briquettes as an alternative to charcoal. The Group considers this initiative as a way to significantly weaken FDLR financial support through the illegal exploitation of the National Park, while at the same time creating a development option for the population living in the Park. The Group encourages the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and international donors to ensure full support to this initiative.
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