North Kivu: an alliance of local NGOs denounces the involvement of soldiers in illegal fishing in Lake Edward.

The coalition of about ten local NGOs focused on environmental protection, land issues, and human rights denounced, on Thursday, December 28, the involvement of certain officers of the Naval Force in illegal fishing on Lake Edward in North Kivu.

In a letter sent on Thursday to the Governor of North Kivu province, a copy of which was received by Radio Okapi, this coalition expressed its serious concerns about this phenomenon, which it describes as an environmental crime.

The local NGOs, including Innovation for Development and Environmental Protection (IDPE), specifically mention at least 5 naval force officers deployed at Lake Edward.

At the fisheries where they operate, these officers are said to have organized networks of clandestine fishermen with whom they collaborate for illicit fishing activities, in violation of all the rules.

This practice, according to these civil society actors, threatens and destroys the ecosystems of Lake Edward and its fisheries resources.

These environmental crimes also threaten the livelihoods of local communities, these actors add.

They further recommend to the governor of North Kivu to halt these activities, to conduct an investigation on the matter so that disciplinary sanctions can be taken against the culprits and their accomplices.

In addition, this coalition suggests to the provincial authority to conduct regular rotations of commanders and military personnel assigned to this ecologically sensitive area of Virunga National Park.

All attempts by Radio Okapi to get a reaction from the commander of the 33rd Naval Group on this matter have proven fruitless.