Maniema: Validation of the Local Development Plan for the Bangu-Bangu Wamaza Sector, Communities Take Ownership of the Management of Their Community Forests

A validation workshop for the 2025–2030 Local Development Plan (LDP) of the Bangu-Bangu Wamaza sector, in Kabambare territory (Maniema Province), brought together local authorities, government services, community actors, Indigenous peoples, and the environmental civil society at the headquarters of the sector of Kabambare , September 2–3, 2025 .

The initiative was organized by the Congo Basin Conservation Society Network (CBCS NETWORK), in collaboration with the local environmental civil society.

Among the participants, Che Hamadua Bin Homar, a resident of Kalihumba village, welcomed this meeting, which he described as the first of its kind in the region:

 “For a long time, there were conflicts related to the occupation of community forests, farmland being seized, and forest products being confiscated. But with this workshop, the local community is reclaiming its ancestral forest rights.”

He emphasized that uncontrolled exploitation had led to the disappearance of certain tree species and wildlife. However, he expressed confidence that with the official recognition of community forests by the Congolese state, their sector could embark on a path toward genuine sustainable development.

« Residents thought their forest would be sold to foreigners. We were shown that community management is in our own interest, just as our ancestors understood. We thank CBCS and SOCEARUCO, who are going beyond advocacy to accompany us in the process of securing community forests and understanding the benefits of our forest.”

For her part, Mrs. Mangaza Robert, from Lupanga village, acknowledged that it was the first time she had heard a clear explanation of the concept of community forests and the Congolese forest law.

 “We now know the boundaries of our forest, the rules for exploitation, and sustainable management. We understood that anarchic logging is prohibited, since trees belong to the State. Those who destroy the forest must stop.”

Participants expressed their desire to see this initiative extended to other communities in order to strengthen the protection of natural resources while ensuring equitable and sustainable development for the Bangu-Bangu Wamaza sector.