The Ministry of Land Affairs recently took a crucial decision by cancelling the controversial contracts of the Compagnie Agro-Pastorale du Congo, also known as CAP Congo. This announcement was made by the Minister of Land Affairs, Acacia Bandubola, during a field visit to Kisangani, in the Lubuya-bera sector, on the right bank of the Congo River.
Minister Bandubola assured that the contracts in question were already cancelled due to the incompetence of the authorities who had initially signed them. Indeed, harmonization with the legal provisions and laws in force was necessary to ensure legality and compliance with the regulations in place. This decision to revoke these contracts demonstrates the government’s commitment to combating all forms of fraud and illegality in the land sector.
CAP Congo, with a 4,000-hectare occupation contract, was at the heart of many controversies and denunciations by lawyers denouncing illicit practices. Indeed, the former governor of Tshopo, Madeleine Nikomba, had signed 20 temporary occupation contracts that were questioned by legal experts for non-compliance with the laws in force.
Despite these challenges, CAP Congo has already undertaken palm plantation activities on 1,954 hectares, with an estimated future production capacity of 16,000 tons of oil per year. The company has also invested in a processing plant capable of processing a large quantity of palm bunches per hour, with first production planned for 2026.
CAP Congo’s operations have had significant social and economic repercussions in the region, including fueling a conflict between the Mbole and Lengola communities. This conflict, which has resulted in the loss of many human lives as well as massive population displacements, highlights the need for a more inclusive approach that respects the aspirations of the different stakeholders.
In conclusion, the cancellation of CAP Congo’s contracts marks an important turning point in land resource management in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This case highlights the challenges and issues related to the exploitation of natural resources, and underlines the importance of adequate regulation to ensure sustainable and equitable development for all stakeholders involved. It remains to be hoped that this pioneering decision will serve as a catalyst for deeper and more sustainable reforms in the country’s land sector.