Sanctuaries Unaffected by Political Unrest
in Democratic Republic of Congo
Tensions Remain High As At Least 26 Protesters Are Killed
By Natasha Tworoski
Tensions have been high this week in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as December 19th marked the end of President Kabila’s second presidential term. The DRC constitution states a president can only serve two terms, but Kabila has been stating for over a year that it would not be possible to organize an election until 2018. Despite international pressure from the United States and European Union, the current government in DRC has remained firm that Kabila will not be stepping down at this time.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has never had a peaceful transition of power. Many are concerned that by remaining in office, President Kabila can trigger another international war like the brutal conflict that ravaged the country from 1996 to 2003, when millions were killed.
On Tuesday, at least 26 Congolese people were killed by government troops while protesting in major cities of DRC, including the capital of Kinshasa. A strong military presence, as well as a ban on protesting, has forced most citizens to stay home, with businesses and schools closing for the immediate future. The number of protestors injured and arrested remains unknown, but is believed by human rights organizations to be very high. Government shutdown of most social media within the country has prevented citizens from reaching out to the international community.
Protests in many cities, including Kinshasa, have led to 26 deaths since President Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo refused to step down after his term ended.
Opposition leaders continue to encourage peaceful protests and remain hopeful that an election can be arranged early in 2017. Opposition leader Freddy Mbuyamu Matungulu is insistent that an intermittent leader must step in for now and that Kabila should step down immediately.
There are three PASA member sanctuaries located throughout the DRC. At this time, all three are believed to be safe and continuing to provide life-saving care to great apes and monkeys who were rescued from the illegal wildlife trade and the bushmeat trade. Our thoughts are with them.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is the only country is the world where bonobos, a great ape species closely related to chimpanzees can be found. The country is also home to eastern gorillas and chimpanzees.
Next Posts
What Can You Accomplish by Donating to PASA?
Although PASA started as a way to connect primate rehabilitation centers, it has grown substantially over the years and now strengthens its members in more ways than ever.
Nemley Junior: A Tiny Chimpanzee with a Not-So-Tiny Impact on Illegal Wildlife Trade
Nemley Junior: A Tiny Chimpanzee with a Not-So-Tiny Impact on the Illegal Wildlife Trade A heartbreaking tragic death of an orphaned baby chimp and the unsettling aftermath by Jennifer Harris Nemley Junior, a tiny orphaned baby chimpanzee, was about to be stuffed into...
Are Conventional Conservation Approaches Holding us Back? The Ethics of Give and Take
Are Conventional Conservation Approaches Holding us Back? The Ethics of Give and Take Working with corporations to forge new paths to conservation by Natasha Tworoski When it comes to complex issues such as protecting our remaining wildlife and wild places, solutions...
Japan’s Only Ape Sanctuary Arose from a Pharmaceutical Research Facility
Japan's Only Ape Sanctuary Arose from a Pharmaceutical Research Facility Japan's apes are helping us to better understand our closest relatives by Natasha Tworoski High in the hills of the Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan are some unexpected residents. This...
A Wild Idea, Literally: Research on Vaccinating Endangered Wild Apes against Deadly Ebola
A Wild Idea, Literally: Research on Vaccinating Endangered Wild Apes against Deadly Ebola Viral mutation and spread to wild apes are the risks. By Jen Harris Since the 1990s, an estimated one-third of the world’s gorilla population and a similar fraction of...
Four Rescued Chimpanzees in Desperate Need of Help!
Four Rescued Chimpanzees in Desperate Need of Help! Smugglers' leader and several others arrested. By Natasha Tworoski Four young chimpanzees were just rescued from deplorable conditions at a roadside facility in Guinea. A collaboration between WARA Conservation...
New Study Shows the Impact of PASA Members on Primate Protection
New Study Shows the Impact of PASA Members on Primate Protection PASA wildlife centers are making a difference through education, community development, animal rescue and long-term care. By Natasha Tworoski Across the continent of Africa, wildlife sanctuaries are...
Brutal Attack on Rhino Sanctuary
Brutal Attack on Rhino Sanctuary Staff were beaten and rhinos killed for their horns By Natasha Tworoski An incredible act of violence occurred late at night on Monday, February 20th at the Thula Thula Orphanage in South Africa. Several staff and two rhinos were...
Returning to the Wild: Possible but Costly
Returning to the Wild: Possible but Costly First Colobus troop going back to the wild! By Natasha Tworoski The coast of Kenya is home to a spectacular range of wildlife. Here you will also find dedicated PASA member, Colobus Conservation. The face of this organization...
Five Rescued Monkeys Make the World a Better Place
Five Rescued Monkeys Make the World a Better Place Finding safe haven for themselves and other species. By Natasha Tworoski If video footage of extremely adorable baby monkeys is your thing, boy are you in luck! A new film, “The Vervet Forest,” is now being screened...