Voix du Paysan to educate and inform citizens: a commitment to social and climate justice
Paysans Debout sounds the alarm over the alarming rise of illegal fishing on Lake Albert, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The widespread use of banned nets such as “Ngurura” seriously threatens fish stocks that are vital to the livelihoods and food security of local communities. The recent case of Maman Blandine, whose nets were seized and burned in Tchomia, reflects an isolated act in a broader context of institutional complacency.
The organization denounces selective punishment: while some fishers are penalized, others continue to operate illegally under the apparent protection of elements within the navy and environmental services. This complicity fuels injustice and undermines conservation efforts. The destruction of juvenile fish through these methods jeopardizes the sustainability of the lake’s ecosystem and endangers the future of fishing.
In the face of this ecological and social emergency, Paysans Debout demands strict and fair enforcement of fishing laws, independent investigations into internal complicity, and the reinforcement of community patrols. It is time to defend our natural resources not by punishing the vulnerable, but by holding accountable those truly responsible for the destruction of our collective future.
The Editorial Team
Lake Albert in Peril: Stop Illegal Fishing and Environmental Impunity!
