DRC Oil and Gas Auction Blocked Again!
“This is a resounding victory for the Congolese people and the environment,” stated Oulie Keita, Greenpeace Africa Director
Felix Tshisekedi President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo/Image France 24
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government’s third attempt to auction off oil and gas fields the size of Ghana has failed, marking a major victory for environmental activists and allies worldwide.
This setback represents a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to protect the Congo Basin, the world’s second-largest rainforest and a vital carbon sink.
“This is a resounding victory for the Congolese people and the environment,” stated Oulie Keita, Greenpeace Africa Director. “The resilience of local communities and the unwavering commitment of climate activists have forced the government to reconsider its destructive plans.”
The auction, which aimed to grant permits for 30 oil and gas blocks, was met with fierce opposition from communities in the Congo Basin, who recognized the devastating impacts such development would have on their livelihoods, the rainforest ecosystem, and the global climate.
“The government would have to kill us before they start drilling here!” stated a representative of a Congolese community opposing the auction.
An investigative report published jointly by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism and Reuters further underscores the urgency of protecting the Congo Basin from oil and gas exploration. The report reveals that a Congolese-owned Canadian company, which had previously failed the vetting process, mysteriously re-emerged as a winner in the auction process following the intervention of the Minister of Hydrocarbons, Didier Budimbu.
“This exposé highlights the corrupt nature of the fossil fuel industry and its disregard for the well-being of communities and the planet,” stated Keita. “We must continue to fight against these harmful practices and ensure that the Congo Basin remains a sanctuary for biodiversity and a vital buffer against climate change.”
Greenpeace Africa urges the DRC government to officially abandon its plans for more oil and gas exploration in the Congo Basin. We call on all individuals and organizations to join us in amplifying this important message and supporting the Congolese people in their fight to protect their land, their livelihoods, and their environment.
#ProtectCongoForest
#StopOilAndGas
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