In a context where government promises come up against persistent realities, the Minister of Agriculture, Grégoire Mutshail Mutomb, tries to awaken the agricultural potential of the DRC with a call for new seeds on seeds. But behind the fiery speeches hides a crucial question: who will really benefit from these changes? Between multinationals eager for conquests and subsistence agriculture in fighting for their survival, the road to sustainable agriculture in the Democratic Republic of Congo seems to be strewn with pitfalls. Parliamentarians now have the cards in hand to shape a future where the earth could finally take precedence over the basement.
Category: Ecology
In Kikwit, the joy of the long -awaited return of water mixes with a disturbing reality: behind the taps that start to flow hides a fragile system, always plagued by dramatic ruptures. The inhabitants, relieved but frustrated, ask a crucial question: at what price is this precarious normality acquired? Immersed in the complexity of a city where access to water remains a daily fight, this article questions unwarmed promises and persistent indifference in the face of decay infrastructure. What does it really mean to live in a city where water, essential and precious, remains suspended from a thread?
In Uvira, the cry of Joshua Aruna resonates as a desperate call to reconnect humanity to nature, while hippopotams, symbols of fragile biodiversity, are sacrificed on the altar of profitability. It is not only a question of poaching, but a deep disconnection between man and his environment. As these emblematic mammals disappear, it is our collective identity and our sustainable future that are in danger. When Ironie rhymes with indifference, can we still hope for a reconciliation between the living and profit?
** Floods in Kinshasa: emergency and challenges for the government **
The recent floods in Kinshasa revealed the acuity of an environmental and social crisis exacerbated by chaotic urbanization. This Wednesday, April 16, Prime Minister Judith Suminwa addresses the National Assembly to discuss the tragedies that have occurred, highlighting the need for a government response that transcends emergency aid. While almost 70% of the urban population lives in the capital, the vulnerability of precarious neighborhoods in the face of natural disasters poses crucial questions about the equity of interventions and urban planning.
Previous disasters of 2017 and 2019 are alarming reminders that sustainable measures are essential. Street legislators call for structural reforms and investments in drainage infrastructure to prevent floods from becoming fatality. By taking an example from cities like Kigali, who have been able to anticipate and adapt to climatic vagaries, Kinshasa must dream of a paradigm shift, because the resilience of the city in the face of climate change will depend on these crucial political choices.
** Anthrax at Virunga National Park: an urgent appeal for action **
The Virunga National Park, an emblem of biodiversity in Central Africa, is faced with an epidemic of anthrax which caused the tragic death of 50 hippopotams in just three days. This drama highlights not only the vulnerability of ecosystems in the face of zoonotic diseases, but also the urgency of collaboration between nature and public health.
The anthrax, caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis, represents an increasing danger for both animals and humans, especially in areas at risk exacerbated by poverty and conflicts. With a 79 % increase in epidemics on the African continent, it is crucial to react quickly. The bosses of this crisis should not only manage the urgency, but also invest in community education and health infrastructure to prevent the transmission of diseases.
This challenge deserves a joint approach, connecting conservation, awareness and sustainable development. Decision -makers must consider solid partnerships in order to create integrated solutions, not only to counter the threat of anthrax, but also to guarantee the health and resilience of long -term ecosystems. The emergence of anthrax in virunga is thus a call for collective action, posing a challenge but also an opportunity to rethink our relationship to nature.
** A new chapter for animal conservation at Disney’s Animal Kingdom: the birth of Tucker the giraffe **
In the enchanting world of Walt Disney World, the arrival of Tucker, a young giraffe Masai, marks a glimmer of hope for the conservation of threatened species. Born in Animal Kingdom, Tucker represents not only the joy for visitors, but also a major issue in the face of the alarming decrease in the population of the Masai giraffes, which dropped almost 40 % in three decades.
His birth is part of an ambitious species management program, placing Tucker as an ambassador for his community and a symbol of the need to preserve biodiversity. While parks like Animal Kingdom take an educational role, each meeting with Tucker could encourage visitors to act actively in the protection of our planet.
The emergence of this young giraffe raises questions about ethical responsibilities and financial challenges linked to captive farming. Beyond the simple amusement, Tucker’s story illustrates Disney’s growing commitment to animal conservation, proving that an amusement park can also be a positive change engine. In this emerging harmony between entertainment and awareness, Tucker could well become the symbol of a future where the protection of fauna and education are walking hand in hand.
### Kinshasa: urgency to act in the face of floods
Recently, Kinshasa has undergone devastating floods, revealing the faults of ineffective rainwater management. These catastrophic events, exacerbated by rapid urbanization, tragically impacted the lives of the 12 million inhabitants of the city. To anticipate and prevent future tragedies, innovative solutions are essential. Remote sensing, for example, offers a new perspective to monitor the risk of flooding and optimize infrastructure. By adopting an integrated approach that combines sustainable investments, awareness of public-private communities and partnerships, Kinshasa can become a model of resilience in the face of climate challenges. It is time to act to guarantee a safe and lasting future to its inhabitants.
### ** Floods in Kinshasa: a call for urgent action **
The devastating floods that hit Kinshasa on the night of April 4 to 5, 2025 have exposed an alarming reality: the incapacity of the authorities to anticipate and prevent predictable disasters. While Mettelsat had warned exceptional rains in February, the lack of initiative led to a tragic assessment of at least thirty deaths. This tragedy highlights planning deficits and a public suffering system, where less than 30% of credit management has been executed in recent years.
Anarchic urbanization and the lack of hydro-meteorological monitoring infrastructure aggravates the situation, reducing the ability of rivers to drain waters. Experts highlight the urgency of a crucial investment in early alert systems and sustainable management of the city to prevent such disasters from happening.
Faced with this crisis, the voice of civil society must be heard and integrated into the decision -making processes. It is time to adopt an inclusive and proactive approach to strengthen Kinshasa resilience in the face of challenges related to climate change. The lessons learned from this tragedy must catalyze a movement towards sustainable and relevant solutions, because the future of the city depends on daring choices made today.
** Urban rehabilitation in Kinshasa: a step towards sustainability? **
Kinshasa, the capital dynamics of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is in full transformation with the inauguration of 40 kilometers of new roads. If this fulfillment is praised, it also raises questions about the broader challenges of rapid urbanization. While the population should reach 15 million by 2030, the quality of infrastructure, waste management and revitalization of public spaces become crucial. Initiatives must go beyond simple road construction, incorporating sustainable transport, recycling and neighborhood development solutions. In short, Kinshasa is at a crossroads: an opportunity to build an inclusive and resilient future that could inspire other African metropolises.
** A tragedy lived in Sankuru: call for urgent reform of the health system **
On April 4, 2023, the medical sector of the Sankuru province, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, was shaken by a strike movement of doctors following the incarceration of Dr. Pierre Kokolomami, head of the Ototo General Reference Hospital, after the death of a pregnant woman. This drama once again highlights the serious shortcomings of the health system, where the lack of resources and financial precariousness often dictate the challenges of life or death.
Despite an alarming rate of maternal mortality, this drama illustrates a reality where access to care is conditioned by the financial means of families. The prevalent culture of use of traditional practitioners before access to modern care further accentuates this tragedy. To avoid future similar incidents, it is imperative to reform the health system, to educate communities and to guarantee equitable access to care. This cry of despair must serve as a catalyst for a necessary change, thus promoting human dignity and the right to life for all, regardless of their socio-economic status.