Category: Ecology

### COP16 on biodiversity: a decisive turning point for our planet

The COP16 on biodiversity, scheduled for Rome on February 25, 2025, looms as a crucial moment for the future of our ecosystem. After tensions at the previous meeting, the gap between developed and developing countries is more than ever at the heart of discussions. The financial issues are colossal: to slow down the loss of biodiversity, it is essential to mobilize between 300 and 500 billion dollars per year. African countries, often the most affected by environmental degradation, demand the creation of a dedicated fund, but come up against the resistance of the European Union.

Faced with this dead end, an appeal to inclusive governance emerges, integrating the knowledge of indigenous peoples and local communities. More than just a diplomatic encounter, COP16 is a unique chance to start a significant change. The decisions that will be taken there could not only redefine our relationship to biodiversity, but also guarantee the economic and environmental health of future generations. Now is the time for collective and responsible action.

** An unusual Egyptian winter: the repercussions of a historic cold wave **

February takes an unexpected turn in Egypt, where a record cold wave upsets the usually soft climate of the country. With temperatures falling at 16 ° C in emblematic cities such as Cairo and Alexandria, this meteorological phenomenon is not just a whim of time: it raises major environmental and socio-economic challenges. Farmers find themselves faced with a new reality of climatic uncertainty, jeopardizing crops and threatening the stability of food prices.

Faced with this crisis, a crucial question emerges: how can Egypt be strengthened in the face of increasingly unpredictable winters? The time is for action, with an emphasis on climate adaptation and the development of resilient infrastructure. By recognizing that this extreme cold is an alarm signal, the country can not only prepare for the future, but also initiate a necessary dialogue on sustainability in the face of increasing environmental issues.

** Mibondo-Fardc conflict: at the heart of the Congolese crisis **

The recent conflict between Militians Mibondo and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) highlights the issues deeply rooted in the socio-economic history of the country. The recent clashes in Kwamouth and Mongata reveal a spiral of violence fueled by years of abandonment of rural areas by the State, leaving the populations in the face of growing despair.

The military actions of the FARDC, although necessary, are often perceived as reactive and insufficient, exacerbating the vulnerability of the poorest. The looting of cattle, an desperate strategy of the Mibondo, underline an economic interest: the battle for vital resources, illustrates of a struggle for survival within systemic poverty.

To get out of this impasse, a call for constructive dialogue is heard, emphasizing the urgency to integrate the concerns of local populations in a lasting strategy. The resolution of this crisis goes far beyond military order; It requires an inclusive approach and socio-economic reconciliation, essential for the reconstruction of lasting peace in a country marked by the scars of the past. Political, military and social actors must unite to offer real perspectives of peace and strengthen the resilience of communities in the face of violence.

### Emergency biodiversity: Rome COP 16, an opportunity to seize

Biodiversity, essential to the health of our planet, is today more threatened than ever. COP 16 which is held in Rome, after the disappointing failure of COP 15, represents a new chance for the international community to respond to this crisis. While climate change and the destruction of habitats are close to alarming limits, it is imperative to integrate biodiversity into economic policies. This summit offers an innovative approach: to consider conservation not only as an environmental obligation, but as an economic lever.

In addition, including the voices of local communities in the decision -making process could revitalize the collective commitment to preserving natural resources. In short, Rome could become the starting point for a real transformation, a moment when humanity decides to act to protect the richness of our planet. Time is counted, and the future of our biodiversity is based on our present decisions.

** The silent impact of war in Ukraine on African agriculture: towards reinvented resilience **

Since the start of the conflict in Ukraine, African agriculture has faced a silent storm, powered by a disturbing dependence on imported fertilizers, especially from Russia. While prices are soaring and African economies are struggling to adjust their supply chains, this crisis reveals latent vulnerability. Despite recent price stabilization, a strategic withdrawal of imports could affect the food security of African nations.

However, this turbulence could also catalyze beneficial changes. Countries such as Ethiopia and Kenya explore sustainable alternatives, promoting organic fertilizers and agroecological techniques to strengthen autonomy. The key to Africa lies in the creation of regional political initiatives aimed at promoting innovative solutions in the face of fertilizer shortages.

Faced with an uncertain future, the continent has a golden opportunity to transform these challenges into opportunities, by building a more resilient and sustainable agricultural system. The challenges that take shape today could reshape not only food production in Africa, but also its place on the world economic chessboard.

### The Baraka Na Matumani Foundation: an initiative of hope for the DRC

On February 22, 2025, the Baraka Na Matumani Foundation was launched at the Pediatric Hospital Kalembelembe, symbolizing more than a simple act of charity: it embodied a glimmer of hope in the face of the distress which affects many Congolese. Under the supervision of Mosanga Lisule Louise, the foundation aspires to bring the nation together beyond ethnic and geographic divisions, by attacking poverty and acute inequalities.

During its inauguration, the Foundation gave food and taken care of the medical care of many children, stressing the urgency of access to care in a country where 50 % of families are struggling to pay it. Incorporating a spiritual dimension, prayers have been organized to morally support families in distress. However, the question of sustainable financing arises, requiring the exploration of partnerships to ensure the sustainability of its actions.

Considering a systemic approach, the foundation could also integrate educational health and nutrition programs, essential for preventing alarming infant mortality in the DRC. Confirming as a model of community engagement, the Baraka Na Matumani Foundation could inspire other solidarity initiatives, thus helping to build a better future for the millions of Congolese who suffer in silence.

** Cobalt and childhood: towards a lasting future at the heart of the Congolese mineral industry **

In a world in full energy transition, Cobalt, essential for the manufacture of batteries, raises ethical questions due to children’s work in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The project to support the alternative well-being of children and young people involved in the Cobalt (Pabea-Cobalt) supply chain is illustrated as a promising initiative, having already managed to maintain 13,587 children in the education system. Beyond access to education, the project offers a global approach encompassing health and psychosocial support. However, despite these advances, the estimated number of 1.5 million children working under dangerous conditions remains alarming.

To break the exploitation cycle, the Pabea-Cobalt also encourages entrepreneurship in agro-business, thus promoting the economic autonomy of families. Faced with the global challenges of human rights, international advocacy is essential to raise awareness of the competent bodies of the reality of Congolese children. By concentrating not only on the disengagement of mining children, but also on the creation of lasting opportunities, this effort could catalyze a deep change in the mining industry. In short, the challenge of protecting childhood and guaranteeing an ethical exploitation of cobalt is immense, but it is necessary to envisage a future where innovation and respect for human rights coexist harmoniously.

** When heat is invited in classrooms: education in danger in South Sudan **

South Sudan is experiencing an alarming educational crisis, exacerbated by extreme heat waves. On October 26, 2023, the government announced the temporary closure of all schools to protect students who collapse under temperatures exceeding 40 degrees. In a country already weakened by armed conflicts and a humanitarian crisis, this decision highlights the vulnerability of the educational infrastructure. With buildings made of metallic sheets and without ventilation systems, every day, a dozen schoolchildren are victims of insolation.

Faced with this emergency, votes are raised to plead in favor of a school calendar adapted to climatic conditions. However, the absence of adequate contingency plans on the part of the government raises strong criticism. While South Sudan seeks to cure his past injuries, he must seize this crisis as an opportunity to rethink his education system by integrating resilience to climate change. Today’s political choices will determine the future of millions of children and their ability to become changes in change in their society.

** The tragedy of Niokolo-Koba lions: between tradition and conservation **

In the forests of the Niokolo-Koba park, in Senegal, the survival of the last lions is threatened by traditional beliefs and a flourishing black market. Used for the manufacture of gray-gray, often based on big feline skins, these objects of power symbolize a deeply anchored culture, but jeopardize these majestic creatures. Faced with this tragedy, educational initiatives are emerging, proposing to reconcile tradition and conservation. By involving local communities in the management of the park, it becomes possible to cultivate a feeling of appropriation and regional pride. In addition, conservation organizations, such as Panthera, strengthen the capacities of Rangers and promote lasting alternatives. The fight to save the Niokolo-Koba lions is a complex challenge, requiring a collective commitment to preserve not only a cultural heritage, but also the fragile balance of nature.

** Education in danger: a youth sacrificed in the east of the DRC **

The east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is in the grip of growing violence, plunging hundreds of thousands of children in the darkness of ignorance. With more than 1.6 million out -of -school students, the educational situation is alarming. The school, beyond being a place of learning, represents a refuge for these young people, offering stability in the middle of chaos. The closure of 2,500 schools aggravates a spiral of despair, threatening not only the future of children, but also that of the nation. Faced with this crisis, an educational emergency plan is essential to restore the rights of children to education and offer them chances of flourishing. It is also the case with the economic future of the DRC, where each year of lost education can reduce the income of individuals by almost 10 %. The mobilization of the international community is essential to reverse this trend and guarantee that the voice of children is not drowned in the silence of conflicts.