Congo Rangers

Category: Crises, Logistics | Date: May 26 2007 | By: admin

The Mai Mai rebel situation in the north of Virunga is still tenuous. This is the situation: Ishango, on the northern shores of Lake Edward, has been reinforced with more rangers to help Atamato. More rangers have also been deployed to Tshiaberimu, where the attack took place. NGOs, including The Gorilla Organisation, WWF and WildlifeDirect, are coordinating emergency action to help the wounded and finance the additional ranger deployment.

Norbert Mushenzi, the Director of the northern sector of Virunga for ICCN (the state entity that controls the parks) has been meeting with the Mai Mai, the Congolese army, and the UN peacekeeping mission in Congo to find a solution to this mess.

A good solution would be for the Mai Mai to integrate into the Congolese army. This needs to be done. As long as they continue to sit in Muramba illegally, just a stone’s throw from Ishango and the last remaining hippos in the lake, this will be a huge threat. Political pressure is key.

The Mai Mai have political support in Kinshasa too, among members of parliament. They must be pressured into ceasing the financing of armed activities in the parks of this country. The rebels are not seeking the destruction of the park out of necessity, but out of a desire for short term financial gain. This situation must be addressed urgently.
More to come soon