Latest report from Ephrem:

Local politicians in Goma question the crackdown
The campaign against illegal charcoal continues, but there is a lot of pressure from local politicians to remove the checkpoint established by ICCN in Kibati. Provincial Senator Muhindo Nzangi Butondo made a formal request to the Environmental Provincial Minister asking him to open up the charcoal crisis to a public debate, in hopes of increasing awareness about the energy crisis in the N. Kivu province.

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Scan of the letter sent by Butondo to Provincial Minister of Environment, Ndoole

This is our translation to English:
According to article 197 of the constitution of the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as articles 149 and 161, we would like to address the following question and open it up for debate: In the last few days, we have seen measures taken which limit the supply of charcoal in Goma City — the main fuel used by eighty percent of the population. These measures have increased the scarcity of charcoal and driven up prices in the market. Because such issues fall under your jurisdiction, we respectfully request answers to the following questions:

• Why is the charcoal supply being restricted?
• Who has made this unilateral decision?
• Because the people of Goma have begun to suffer as a result of this decision, something must be done to remedy the problems that have surfaced as a result of restricting the charcoal supply. What kind of measures is your Ministry taking to mitigate the effects of this new policy?
• What kind of sustainable solutions are you considering regarding the need for wood-based fuels in the Province?

Please give this your utmost attention your Excellence, and know that it is my patriotism that causes me to bring this to your attention.

-Honorable Butonto Nzangi

Response from the Provincial Minister of the Environment
Mme Félicité Ndoole, the Provincial Minister of Environment, addressed Nganzi’s questions in the local Parliament today. She upheld the move to restrict illegally harvested charcoal coming out of the Virunga NP, and made it clear that, in the long-term, this was in the best interest of everyone. Ndoole’s explanations received the support from the majority of Parliament members, and their approval to continue with the interdiction measures. This is a big success for conservationist and a blow to the self-interests of the charcoal lobby.

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