SAVE VIRUNGA
Stop Oil Exploration in Africa's Oldest National Park
The subject of African heritage and its sustainable development – or African heritage and sustainable development – has become one of the most discussed issues of late, both within and outside the continent. The discussion has not been confined only to heritage practitioners but has traversed the traditional boundaries, bringing in the practitioners, academicians, communities,… Read More
“Virunga National Park’s conservationists and activists are celebrating a victory today after British oil company SOCO International plc (SOCO) agreed to end its controversial operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). But the devil is in the details and many believe the war against drilling for oil in Africa’s oldest national park has just… Read More
No more words needed. Many local defenders have been alerting the world of the dangers community members and themselves are facing when fighting for Virunga and the sustainable development option. They are often putting their lives, their staff and their organizations at risk. Virunga cannot survive without them, without their voice and courage. We wish… 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
Good News for Africa’s Oldest National Park Oil and gas group Total will not explore for oil within the boundaries of Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chairman and CEO Cristophe de Margerie announced today. WWF welcomes the decision that will help conserve the home of mountain gorillas, elephants and a wide… Read More
Georges Dallemagne, Member of the Parliament of Belgium, has presented a resolution for the protection of Virunga National Park. On December 6th the Members of the Parliament will have to vote on the subject. If the resolution is passed it will constitute the formal decision of the Belgian Parliament on the matter. Dallemagne sends a… Read More
Apart from its colossal scale, what is striking about Shell’s security spending in Nigeria is its ineffectiveness. Shell spent many millions of dollars each year on government forces who failed to provide the company with adequate security. It is no surprise the US government observed that Shell’s over-reliance on military forces created “serious internal friction”… Read More
East African Oil and Gas – Proper Environmental Planning Needed to Avoid Disaster By Thembi Mutch, 27 September 2012 East Africa is about to experience a hydrocarbon induced economic boom. However, the disconnect between what oil and petrol companies say is happening regarding the development of oil and gas resources, versus what international NGOs, academics… Read More
KINSHASA, Sept 25 (Reuters) – The British government said on Tuesday it is opposed to London-based oil company Soco International exploring for oil in Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga National Park, which is a last refuge for the region’s mountain gorillas. “We have informed Soco and urge the government of DR Congo to fully respect… Read More
No oil drilling in Virunga National Park Zeist – Large Dutch banks and pension funds have investments in the French oil company Total, which wants to drill for oil in one of the last habitats of the endangered mountain gorillas, Virunga National Park in DR Congo. This became evident in a financial anlysis done by… Read More
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS Although it should provide development opportunities, renewed oil interest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) represents a real threat to stability in a still vulnerable post-conflict country. Exploration has begun, but oil prospecting is nurturing old resentments among local communities and contributing to border tensions with neighbouring countries. If… Read More
SAVE VIRUNGA 