SAVE VIRUNGA
Stop Oil Exploration in Africa's Oldest National Park
This timeline presents key events related to the oil threat in Africa’s Oldest National park and how oil exploration in Virunga National park threatens the pathway towards peace, development and stability in the region. The timeline goes back to the creation of the park in 1925, passing by its inscription on the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites in danger in 1994 and depicting the latest oil threats that could mark the end of one of the richest and most biodiverse ecosystem in the world.
Move follows film backed by Leonardo DiCaprio and pleas by local NGOs, environmentalists, transparency campaigners and members of the UK Parliament to protect Congo’s Virunga park. The church – led by archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, a former oil executive – has said that it may sell its near £3m stake in Soco International unless… Read More
The actor turned environmentalist adds of ‘Virunga’: “You have grassroots people on the ground risking their lives for these last remaining places that are so vital” Leonardo DiCaprio has been an avid environmentalist for over 15 years, and started his own foundation in 1998 to preserve endangered species and their habitats, among other goals. This… Read More
Sir David Attenborough facing new battle to save the gorillas: An oil company’s alleged interest in primates’ habitat sparks outrage An oil company’s alleged interest in primates’ habitat sparks outrage JAMIE MERRILL . It is more than 35 years since Sir David Attenborough was memorably prodded, poked and groomed by rare African mountain gorillas in front… Read More
‘Drillers in the mist’: How secret payments and a climate of violence helped UK firm open African national park to oil British oil company Soco Internationaland its contractors havemade illicit payments, appear to have paid off armed rebels and benefited from fear and violence fostered by government security forces in eastern Congo, as they sought… Read More
The 38th session of the World Heritage Committee threatens to become the next major battle for Virunga’s survival. As DRC Member of the parliament, Francois Nzekuye explains the oil company SOCO has only committed to wait for drilling in Virunga until the UNESCO and the DRC government agree that such activities are not incompatible with its… Read More
(Kinshasa) – Democratic Republic of Congo authorities should fully and impartially investigate threats and violence against Virunga National Park rangers and local activists, Human Rights Watch said today. The government should examine whether the incidents are linked to plans to explore for oil within and near Virunga Park by SOCO International, a British oil company operating in… Read More
European Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, together with the Belgian Minister for International Cooperation, Jean-Pascal Labille, urge SOCO’s shareholders and all relevant authorities to make sure that oil company SOCO International Plc respects international laws and regulations and is in compliance with all of the required standards considering its oil exploration activities in a World… Read More
Urgent Appeal No. 01/OSC/ENV/2014. Oil exploration and exploitation project in Virunga National park: Threats against civil society in North-Kivu. Civil Society focusing on environmental issues in North-Kivu is highly concerned about the security situation of its members in North-Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo. In fact, the end of January and the beginning of February 2014… Read More
IUCN welcomes Total’s ‘no-go’ commitment in World Heritage sites 03 February 2014 | International news release Oil and gas company Total has confirmed that it will not carry out extractive operations within natural World Heritage sites, including Virunga National Park. IUCN welcomes this decision and calls on all oil and gas companies to follow suit.… Read More
Unofficial translation of the excellent article of DRC blogger Jean-Baptiste Badesire: A reflection on oil exploration and exploitation in Virunga National Park, and how the Congolese authorities choose the easy money at the expense of the sustainable development and social peace in North Kivu. READ HERE THE (ORIGINAL) FRENCH VERSION This Friday, January 31, 2014… Read More
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cabreraletelier/3717642877/sizes/m/ Lire en français Congo has suspended the passage of a controversial oil bill through parliament, in order to allow more time for consultation. It has been criticised by MPs in Congo, donor governments, UNESCO and campaigners, including Global Witness, for failing to include strong anti-corruption or environmental protection measures. “The decision to suspend the… Read More
This month’s article in Africa Intelligence “Virunga a hot issue” reveals that it won’t be until November 2014 that the findings of the second phase of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), funded by the European Union, will be handed out to the Ministry of Hydrocarbon in DR-Congo. The SEA will be used to inform DRC Government… Read More
SAVE VIRUNGA 