"Diplomacy & Development" Interview with Charity Migwi, Regional Campaigner at 350africa.org about the Impacts of oil exploration on the lake and fisheries communities, the impacts on women lives and development
The Virunga national park located in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been at the crossroads of an intense conflict for oil, involving foreign fossil fuels interests, armed militia groups and corrupted officials for almost a decade now.
The oldest wildlife sanctuary on the continent created in 1925, is one of the most biologically diverse areas on the planet and home to the world's critically endangered mountain gorillas. It is estimated that 200,000 people from neighbourhood communities depend on the park for their livelihood and survival. The park was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 and is supposed to be legally protected from oil exploration activities.
However, between 2005 - 2010, the Congolese government through the Ministry of Hydrocarbons approved licenses for oil concessions to foreign fossil fuel companies like Efora, Total, Socco, Dominion Petroleum to explore and operate seismic tests, pressuring the rich biodiversity of the region and the people who depend on them for their livelihoods. And now areas of the park are threatened to be declassified from the World Heritage Site. Together with Salonga National Park, the world’s second-biggest tropical rainforest reserve, these vulnerable areas may be auctioned in a new series of oil permits putting at risk not only endangered species but also the source of incomes for many local communities.
Despite the global trend to shift away from fossil fuels and invest in renewable energy, DRC is taking a dangerous and unsustainable path towards oil exploration, that would spell doom to the many endangered species that do not exist anywhere else in the world at a time when the country is already suffering from the adverse effects of depletion of its tropical forests.
"Diplomacy & Development" has had a deep discussion with CHARITY MIGWI - REGIONAL CAMPAIGNER, 350frica.org about the Impacts of oil exploration on the lake and fisheries communities, the impacts on women lives and development (gender focus) and a pushing to a path towards renewable energy and making fossil fuel corporations pay.
350africa.org is an international movement of ordinary people working to end the age of fossil fuels and build a world of community-led renewable energy for all.
- DIPLOMACY & DEVELOPMENT: What was according to you the main message in the Fossil Free Virunga Documentary which highlighted a dangerous and unsustainable path towards oil exploration in the Virunga National Park and activities that are threatening the park to be declassified from the World Heritage Site?
CHARITY MIGWI - REGIONAL CAMPAIGNER, 350frica.org: The main message intended by the Fossil-Free Virunga Documentary is to Say No to Oil Exploration in Virunga National Park by calling on the Congolese Government to cancel all fossil fuel exploration licences in this sensitive ecosystem. The park is one of the most ecologically diverse regions in the world and was classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979. It is home to a multitude of Africa’s bird species, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, medicinal plants, and other rare and endangered species. The park also holds a special significance to hundreds of thousands of people who depend on it for their livelihoods. Sadly, Virunga National Park is under threat of destruction by foreign fossil fuel companies in pursuit for oil exploration. This oil prospect has intensified conflict between armed militia groups and corrupt officials, posing a threat to the species and communities that depend on it.
- DIPLOMACY & DEVELOPMENT: What do you think about the job done by the production team of the film Fossil Free Virunga Documentary?
CHARITY MIGWI - REGIONAL CAMPAIGNER, 350frica.org: 350Africa.org applauds the work of MNFK Creatives for bringing out the intended message of the film through their production and quality work despite challenging circumstances of filming during the Covid-19 pandemic. We appreciate the effort and dedication that went into producing the documentary.
- DIPLOMACY & DEVELOPMENT: What do you intend to do as organization for the benefit of virunga park in the years ahead (short, middle and long term) in terms of sensitization? Do you think enough is done in terms of lobbying and raising awareness on this subject?
CHARITY MIGWI - REGIONAL CAMPAIGNER, 350frica.org: Fossil-Free Virunga is a campaign to fight all fossil fuel exploration efforts endangering the park. We intend to continue with our campaign by amplifying grassroots voices to resist the fossil fuel projects and advocate for greener, safer & sustainable alternatives like renewable energy. A fossil-free Virunga park will ensure a sustained biologically diverse ecosystem and continued support of communities who rely on the park for their livelihoods.
- DIPLOMACY & DEVELOPMENT: How do you assess the impact of fossil fuels on vulnerable ecosystems and world heritage sites, particularly in D.R. Congo and in Africa at large?
CHARITY MIGWI - REGIONAL CAMPAIGNER, 350frica.org: Fossil fuels pose numerous negative impacts. They cause destruction to the environment which make it uninhabitable for different animal species to survive. They also cause water pollution and loss of livelihoods like fishing, agriculture & tourism that communities rely on. There is also the resultant air pollution that affects human health, not to mention the adverse climatic impacts that result from the carbon emissions. The climatic impacts could lead to extreme flooding, drought, and famine, among other impacts that increase the vulnerability of Africans to climate change.
- DIPLOMACY & DEVELOPMENT: Do you think a path towards renewable energy is possible in Africa? Are you optimistic about the transition from fossil to a green clean renewable energy?
CHARITY MIGWI - REGIONAL CAMPAIGNER, 350frica.org: Africa has great potential for renewable energy like solar and wind. The continent receives numerous hours of sunshine per day that could be harnessed to produce energy for the developmental needs of the continent. Such green alternatives remain largely untapped yet could prove revolutionary for Africa. Africa does not need fossil fuels to meet its energy demands or to boost its economies. Instead, a renewable energy future is much more promising and sustainable for the continent.
- DIPLOMACY & DEVELOPMENT: What do you think about making fossil fuel corporations pay? Do you think this policy is doable in Africa?
CHARITY MIGWI - REGIONAL CAMPAIGNER, 350frica.org: Indeed, fossil fuel corporations have caused severe damage to the people and the planet and should most definitely be held responsible. Research has revealed that fossil fuel giants like "https://exxonknew.org/" Exxon knew about climate change decades ago and chose to deceive the public and rob humanity of a generation’s worth of time to reverse climate change. For such gross misinformation and irreversible damage to the climate, fossil fuel companies should be held liable. This policy is doable in Africa as the continent has been the most vulnerable, yet the most exploited.
- DIPLOMACY & DEVELOPMENT: What do you wish for your organization and what are your plans globally and specifically for the future?
CHARITY MIGWI - REGIONAL CAMPAIGNER, 350frica.org: As 350Africa.org, we wish to put an end to the age of fossil fuels and facilitate the integration of renewable energy as well as address other intersectional issues that center on climate justice. The goal is to ensure a healthier, safer & sustainable planet for all.
Cassien Tribunal Aungane, Editor
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