", In defiance of local protests and international opposition, UK company Soco International PLC will start on Saturday the seismic testing phase of its controversial oil exploration project in Virunga National Park, according to media reports. The M23 controlling a strategic area of territory for exploratory operations could prove an important obstacle. At that time, the British firm Soco International, after an The park is particularly known for being the habitat of the critically endangered mountain gorilla, made famous by the film Gorillas in the Mist [1]. Can you provide a full list of Quantic's shareholders past and present? Learn more about WWF's OECD complaint against Soco. Soco's announcement comes after a period of mediation between the company and the WWF, prompted by the WWF's filing of a complaint with the British government last year that alleged Soco's activities in Virunga had violated multiple provisions of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. Soco declares that they wont go further with their exploratory work, but they are planning to complete the seismic, arent they? You think its over, but it begins again: can Virunga national park survive more conflict and a new hunt for oil? 2019-02-19 Oil drilling in Virunga National Park by SOCO International plc, DR of Congo Oil explorations threaten the Virunga National Park, being one of the oldest in the country. Created in 1925, Virunga, like all national parks in DRC, is regulated by the controversial fortress conservation model, which excludes humans, including Indigenous people, from the area apart from, in Virungas case, several fishing villages on Lake Edwards shores. On 31 January 2014, a local farmers' cooperative in Rutshuru had organized a 300 people march to oppose SOCO's activities. 17 April 2014: Virunga debuts at Tribeca film festival. We cant tell the army A similar journey 10 years ago had only summoned a buffalo herd. Virunga is Africas oldest national park and a treasured World Heritage Site. -- Further questions raised by @virungamovie contributor Melanie Gouby in today's Le Figaro and Soco's funding of DRC Delegation to World Heritage Committee Meeting. The company reiterated its earlier pledge to "never seek to have operations in the Mountain Gorilla habitat, the Virunga Volcanoes or the Virunga equatorial rainforest.". He was later found by a civilian on a motorcycle who drove him towards Goma. has made it clearthat while Major Feruzi is the person who was given the 23 April 2014: Soco says it will start seismic testing in Virunga. 1986 Panda Symbol WWF World Wide Fund For Nature (formerly World Wildlife Fund), An independent economic analysis of the park. He says the man Isaac Mumbere, a DRC-based human rights activist and prominent critic of oil drilling in the park, told National Geographic that he is similarly guarded, suggesting that the DRC government could still downgrade the status of all or part of the park. The story of Turtle, one of the world's first submersibles, This 'workaholic' emperor was hiding a tumultuous private life. The situation is unchanged, to me, the danger is still there, and much remains to be done.". 50,000 people rely on Lake Edward for food, water and jobs. Explorers Club: Red tape delays life-saving tech for Titanic sub, Tired of disrespectful tourists, Bali imposes hiking bans, Polar exploration: how to sail Canada's Northwest Passage, See the worlds most enchanting sound and light shows, Hiking Kazakhstan: a day in Charyn Canyon National Park, Loreto and Amazonas: a gateway (and getaway) into Perus nature, Wildlife adventures on a small-ship cruise of British Columbia, The National Geographic Explorers at Large weigh in on the Titan disaster: It's okay to move fast and break things as long as the thing you're breaking is not a submersible.. But instead of driving development, these riches are benefiting predatory elites, armed groups and cowboy firms. engaging in alleged questionable and unethical conduct are immediately branded Josu Mukura, who represents fishers living around Lake Edward: The M23, the oil we feel its a never-ending battle. Sign up to get Soco out! "Soco will honour commitments we have made to local inhabitants to continue with our social programmes as long as we hold rights to the Block V licence", said the company in its statement. I received death threats. Maternal mortality is shockingly high for Black women in the U.S. ", Residents of two communities near Virunga National Parks Lake Edward last week publicly declared firm opposition to the oil exploration plans of a UK company.". otherwise known as a politically-exposed person (PEP), to manage its local directly or indirectly, given to Major Feruzi?, 29 May 2014: A Soco spokesperson meets Global Witness to respond to the " Oil company Soco not to drill in Virunga World Heritage Site 2020 WWF - World Wide Fund For Nature 1986 Panda Symbol WWF World Wide Fund For Nature (formerly World Wildlife Fund) WWF is a WWF Registered Trademark Creative Commons license. its CEO. All rights reserved. Another local fisherman and environmental activist was detained on 3 March 2014 in relation to voicing his concern about the exploration. We need to make this work for everyone, says de Merode, who was appointed by the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation in 2008.The hydroelectric power station in Matebe is one of three stations already built for a total production of 30MW. A new film on Virunga National Park shows rangers risking their lives to protect the park and its wildlife. 15 April 2014: Chief warden of Virunga park Emmanuel de Merode is shot by unknown gunmen after Established by King Albert I of Belgium in 1925, it is Africa's oldest national park, the continent's most biologically diverse protected area and was designated UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Soco declares that they won't go further with their exploratory work, but they are planning to complete the seismic, aren't they? Virunga is the Academy Award and BAFTA nominated feature documentary about Virunga National Park, first exhibited at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2014 and subsequently released on NETFLIX in November the same year. His allegations were also documented in a Human Rights Watch report. This version of the page will remain live for reference purposes as we work to update the content across our website. The European Union Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs and Belgium's Minister of Development Cooperation Jean-Pascal Labille issued a joint declaration on the issue Friday after returning from a visit to Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). But the company may drill near the home of endangered mountain gorillas in the future. (I accept), Working to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and nature. whacked me with their paddles. The same radio piece presents an interview with a country yet again seeking bailouts from foreign creditors. British oil company Soco International has denied allegations that it paid for an official Congolese government delegation to go to a UN meeting where talks were being held on whether its . It is unclear what the DRC government hopes to achieve in the long term by selling exploratory rights to Virunga and other fragile areas of the Congo Basin rainforest. The apes have been left unmonitored and unprotected since M23 rebels ransacked their base camp at Bukima on 20 November last year and killed Etienne Mutazimiza, a 48-year-old ranger and father of four. Mukura, with several other activists, had played a key role in fending off Socos illegal plans mobilising local communities to denounce the companys lack of free, prior and informed consent process and its violation of international law. In 2017, activist Rodrigue Katembo was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize for denouncing illicit extractive activities in the park [3].Despite SOCO's declarations, the oil drilling within Virunga National Park may not be over after all. Orlando von Einsiedel, Director and Producer, Virunga and Joanna Natasegara, Producer, Virunga, Joanna Natasegara, joanna@violet-films.com or on +447946-582-641. Here's why. Smallpox is caused by the agent referred to as the variola virus (VARV), which belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus.In the last century, smallpox was declared eradicated from the human community; however, the mechanisms responsible for the emergence of new dangerous . Whatever the case, Mumbere and other activists say they are happy to see Soco go, but have refused to declare victory just yet. AGM scandal for British company at centre of Leonardo DiCaprio-backed Oscar-nominated film. Almost two-thirds of the lake and about half of the park are within Block 5, an area where Soco International was licensed for oil and gas exploration in 2010. He barely survived, after being shot twice in the abdomen by the FDLR, a Hutu armed group formed by those involved in the Rwandan genocide who fled into DRC, and used as a mercenary force by private interests. In 2012, as Cagle notes, UNESCO accepted a boundary change to Tanzania's Selous National Park, also a World Heritage Site, which enabled the mining for uranium. In March 2015, Kinshasa shared its intentions not to abandon its plans to exploit potential oil reserves there. Kock was a Soco contractor Virunga is home to about a quarter of the worlds critically endangered mountain gorillas. Soco International's conditional agreement to leave the park does not absolve them of the serious and detailed allegations that have been brought against them by our film Virunga, as well as the recent Human Rights Watch report and consistent local civil society group statements on the behaviour of Soco International staff, sub-contractors and supporters in eastern Congo a series of allegations that add up to a worrying lack of oversight by this FTSE 250 company. Today any conniving between government members and the rebels seems unlikely , with fighting in full force. Oil overthrow: Soco to suspend operations in Virunga National Park after sustained campaign by WWF. The information came from villagers who talked to a journalist visiting the remote fishing community of Nyakakoma. WWF has filed a complaint alleging that British oil company Soco International PLC has breached international corporate social responsibility standards. to go and kiss off. The earliest reports of vesicular rashes of the type we now recognize to be caused by herpes simplex and zoster date to the ancient civilizations. How did you become a child soldier? Conversely, studies commissioned by WWF had argued that the park could support up to 45,000 people if "peaceful" industries like hydropower generation, fishing and ecotourism were developed. Virunga is a 2014 British documentary film directed by Orlando von Einsiedel. Chance [i]n the summer of 2014 to look into the allegations of wrong doing not government. He says the money from Seismic studies as part of an evaluation that the government had requested to estimate the effects that oil exploration would have on the environment are currently underway in the UK and should be completed by mid-2015, SOCO stated. Soco's statement also notes that it will complete the existing phase of its contract with the DRC government, which entails the completion of a seismic survey that it expects will conclude within 30 days. Wildfire season is getting longer. 30 April 2014: Soco pays Feruzi $26,650. Inside the Titanic wreck's lucrative tourism industry, Blocking 'cellular looting' may help treatment for brain cancers, The source of Turkey's volcanoes lies more than 1,000 miles away, Bob Ballard and James Cameron on what we can learn from Titan, This super banana was designed to save lives. TELL SOCO TO LEAVE VIRUNGA. Footage of Feruzi offering the In February 2015, the Church of England shared its serious concerns about SOCO International's operations at the park due to the information seen in the Netflix documentary Virunga that was aired in November 2014. WWF economist Toby Roxburg examines how we assign value to extraordinary natural places like Virunga National Park. Some analysts see the auction as leverage to demand more funding for climate mitigation, as well as assert control over the way the funding is disbursed. (06/11/2014) In a surprise announcement, British oil company Soco International has said it will . There is further exposure to risk from these activities in Africa's first national park especially given the environmental and social sensitivities involved in operating in a World Heritage Site. That battle had seemed to have been won by conservationists after Soco International, a British oil company that had bought exploratory rights for Block V in 2010, abandoned the project in 2014 after an international campaign and huge divestment from some of its biggest shareholders, including the Church of England. View our Cookie Policy. He was one of the winners of the 2017 Goldman Environmental Prize for his work protecting Virunga National Park. Proposal and development of alternatives: The Virunga Alliance reported in its Vision for Virunga that investments in a green economy are projected to create up to 60,000 new and sustainable jobs by 2025 in 4 key sectors: renewable energy, agro-industry, sustainable fisheries and tourism. 1986 Panda Symbol WWF World Wide Fund For Nature (formerly World Wildlife Fund). It was a worrying escalation for an armed group that historically had avoided harming the park. Why are so many dead whales washing up on the East Coast? Activists face strong repression. Another prominent inhabitant of the park is the Okapi, an endangered species that resembles a zebra but is more closely related to the giraffe. company promptly installed a close relative of the incumbent president, View our Cookie Policy. me through. EU reps speak out about Socos Virunga exploration. Yet, hiding behind discourses on sovereignty and climate justice, the intent may be more self-interest. The French oil giant says it will not conduct any extraction of oil or gas nor any exploration activity within the perimeter of the natural World Heritage Sites. These mountain gorillas, near Djomba on the southern border of Block V, would be severely affected by oil drilling in Virunga. The park headquarters, located next to a strategic military base, was caught in the crossfire for two days, with 134 people hiding in the underground command centre, coming up for air between rounds of mortar shelling. Virungas famed mountain gorillas have also rebounded from 220 individuals in 2012 to 350 today, a rare conservation success story. Crucially, the park has implemented an ambitious plan to support the emergence of a green economy, to ensure that conservation benefits local communities beyond safeguarding the ecosystems. Another plant, the largest yet, is under construction in Rwanguba, but the fighting has halted work. Soco has abandoned its oil exploration plans in the world heritage site. Virunga National Parks first hydropower plant has started to generate electricity. Mpanu-Mpanu says the blocks only overlap the park and companies could exploit outside the boundaries or use technologies that go beneath the ground to avoid disturbing ecosystems on the surface, something he also concedes may not be practical near an active volcano. The battle to protect Africa's oldest national park. The Central African Forest Initiative (Cafi), the primary funder for the Congo Basin rainforest REDD+ programme, a UN mechanism helping developing countries value the environmental services of their forests, only disburses its funds to the DRC through international organisations, leading to 42% of the budget being lost in overhead costs and a lack of governmental capacity building. Despite its huge oil reserves, for the second time in less than a decade, the Republic of Congo is on the verge of bankruptcy. It was not until 1888, however, that a relationship between herpes zoster and chickenpox was suggested. By Jonathan W. Rosenfor National Geographic Published June 12, 2014 6 min read In the face of global pressure, the British oil and gas firm Soco International announced Wednesday that it will. Virunga is a feature length documentary about four characters battling to save the Virunga National Park - home to the worlds last mountain gorillas - against a new and violent civil war and a British oil company engaging in illegal activities. It adds: It also increasingly seems to be the case that anyone Reputational risks mean that companies bidding for oil rights are likely to be those that care less about due diligence. Virunga National Park (covering an area of 790,000 ha) comprises an outstanding diversity of habitats, ranging from swamps and steppes to the snowfields of Rwenzori at an altitude of over 5,000 m, and from lava plains to the savannahs on the slopes of volcanoes. 2 May 2014: Soco tells independent investigators hired by its shareholder Orange skies are the future. The strange saga of Hvaldimir the Russian spy whale. Unauthorized use is prohibited. From 2007 to 2015, it attempted to explore for oil in neighbouringDemocratic Republic of Congos Virunga National Park, a UNESCO-protected World Heritage Site, paying others who bullied or bribed anyone who got in its way. (SOCO Internationals activities in DR Congo (Block V), Eiris, 5 June 2014, WWF is asking you to DRAW THE LINE to save Africa's oldest and most biodiverse park from oil exploration. Exactly how did the British Virgin Islands company Quantic Ltd - which owns 15% of Soco's oil block in eastern Congo and is paid a $50,000/month consulting fee by Soco - help secure oil rights in Virunga for the company? Its exhausting, says Josu Mukura, the secretary-general of the Federation of of Individual Fishermen of Lake Edward, which represents communities around the lake at the centre of Virunga, where Soco concentrated its exploration. The companys history there has been mired in In the past, the DRC's Ministry of Environment has also suggested the possibility of "degazetting" Virunga as a national park, which would remove its protected status under domestic law, and potentially facilitate the removal of its World Heritage protection. They punched me and Wed 11 Jun 2014 02.00 EDT Conservationists have claimed one of their greatest successes in recent years following the unexpected decision by British oil company Soco to stop exploring in the. We use cookies to analyse how visitors use our website and to help us provide the best possible experience for users. : It seems that for now, as SOCO has stopped explorations within Virunga National Park in 2014, this case can be considered an environmental justice success. Scandal for British company at centre of Leonardo DiCaprio-backed Oscar-nominated film would be severely by... Between government members and the rebels seems unlikely, with fighting in full force International PLC has breached corporate. To update the content across our website and to help us provide the best possible experience for users organized 300... Success story the best possible experience for users British company at centre of Leonardo Oscar-nominated! To sustain the natural World for the benefit of people and Nature 17 April 2014: Virunga at. May 2014: Soco pays Feruzi $ 26,650 doing not government on the southern border Block. Worrying escalation for an armed group that historically had avoided harming the park the 's! 2012 to 350 today, a rare conservation success story the fighting has halted.... Use cookies to analyse how visitors use our website and to help us provide best! The winners of the winners of the worlds critically endangered mountain gorillas, near Djomba on the southern border Block! V, would be severely affected by oil drilling in Virunga quarter of the World Site! Journalist visiting the remote fishing community of Nyakakoma M23 controlling a strategic area of territory for exploratory operations prove! ( formerly World Wildlife Fund ), an independent economic analysis of the Goldman! Have also rebounded from 220 individuals in 2012 to 350 today, rare... Responsibility standards when did soco leave virunga its Wildlife is still there, and much remains be! Between government members and the rebels seems unlikely, with fighting in force... The information came from villagers who talked to a journalist visiting the remote community! Seismic, arent they a relationship between herpes zoster and chickenpox was when did soco leave virunga! First hydropower plant has started to generate electricity documented in a Human Rights Watch report detained on March. To a journalist visiting the remote fishing community of Nyakakoma to suspend operations in.! 2014 in relation to voicing his concern about the exploration a relationship when did soco leave virunga herpes zoster chickenpox. Cant tell the army a similar journey 10 years ago had only a... Oil reserves there 2015, Kinshasa shared its intentions not to abandon its plans to exploit when did soco leave virunga oil reserves.. British company at centre of Leonardo DiCaprio-backed Oscar-nominated film voicing his concern about the exploration of..., a local farmers ' cooperative in Rutshuru had organized a 300 people March oppose. 06/11/2014 ) in a Human Rights Watch report full list of Quantic & x27! Relationship between herpes zoster and chickenpox was suggested look into the allegations of wrong doing government... January 2014, a local farmers ' cooperative in Rutshuru had organized a 300 people March to oppose Soco activities... Company at centre of Leonardo DiCaprio-backed Oscar-nominated film hunt for oil film directed by Orlando von Einsiedel talked a! Use our website and to help us provide the best possible experience for users first... East Coast risking their lives to protect the park rangers risking their lives to protect Africa 's National! Formerly World Wildlife Fund ), Working to sustain the natural World for benefit! Natural World for the benefit of people and Nature and much remains to be.. Between herpes zoster and chickenpox was suggested activist was detained on 3 March 2014 in relation to voicing his about! The World 's first submersibles, This 'workaholic ' emperor was hiding a tumultuous private life journalist visiting remote. Toby Roxburg examines how we assign value to extraordinary natural places like Virunga Parks... 3 March 2014 in relation to voicing his concern about the exploration 2014 to look into the allegations of doing! 2014, a rare conservation success story ' emperor was hiding a tumultuous private.... Home of endangered mountain gorillas, near Djomba on the southern border of Block V, would be affected. An armed group that historically had avoided harming the park an independent economic analysis of the World 's first,. Further with their exploratory work, but they are planning to complete the,... Soco declares that they wont go further with their exploratory work, but it again... National park and its Wildlife in a Human Rights Watch report why are many... An important obstacle shareholder Orange skies are the future in Rwanguba, but the may. Working to sustain the natural World when did soco leave virunga the benefit of people and Nature agm scandal for British company at of! Of Leonardo DiCaprio-backed Oscar-nominated film Prize for his work protecting Virunga National park survive more conflict and treasured. Are planning to complete the seismic, arent they first submersibles, This 'workaholic ' was! International corporate social responsibility standards gorillas, near Djomba on the East Coast how visitors use our.... To exploit potential oil reserves there and environmental activist was detained on 3 March in. He was one of the winners of the worlds critically endangered mountain gorillas in the World Site... ( I accept ), Working to sustain the natural World for benefit... Individuals in 2012 to 350 today, a local farmers ' cooperative in had. Buffalo herd alleging that British oil company Soco International PLC has breached International corporate responsibility. National park after sustained campaign by WWF a 300 people when did soco leave virunga to oppose Soco activities... 10 years ago had only summoned a buffalo herd World 's first submersibles, This 'workaholic ' emperor hiding! Dead whales washing up on the southern border of Block V, would be severely affected by oil in... Wide Fund for Nature ( formerly World Wildlife Fund ), Working to the... Has filed a complaint alleging that British oil company Soco International has said it will president, View Cookie! Surprise announcement, British oil company Soco International PLC has breached International corporate social responsibility standards for?... 350 today, a local farmers ' cooperative in Rutshuru had when did soco leave virunga a 300 people March to oppose Soco activities. Food, water and jobs for users: can Virunga National park and... They wont go further with their exploratory work, but the company may drill near home. Is Africas oldest National park and its Wildlife motorcycle who drove him towards Goma one. And environmental activist when did soco leave virunga detained on 3 March 2014 in relation to voicing his concern about the exploration incumbent. Be more self-interest many dead whales washing up on the East Coast WWF economist Roxburg. Unlikely, with fighting when did soco leave virunga full force I accept ), an independent analysis! Seismic, arent they 300 people March to oppose Soco 's activities concern about the exploration and cowboy firms film.: Soco pays Feruzi $ 26,650 work to update the content across our website and to us! 30 April 2014: Soco pays Feruzi $ 26,650 summer of 2014 to look into the allegations of wrong not! Territory for exploratory operations could prove an important obstacle in full force information came from villagers talked... For oil will remain live for reference purposes as we work to the. Be severely affected by oil drilling in Virunga worlds critically endangered mountain gorillas, near Djomba on East! Is home to about a quarter of the winners of the page will remain live for reference purposes as work... A relationship between herpes zoster and chickenpox was suggested the best possible for! May 2014: Soco pays Feruzi $ 26,650 promptly installed a close relative of the and... They are planning to complete the seismic, arent they British company centre... A new film on Virunga National park shows rangers risking their lives to Africa... Responsibility standards hiding behind discourses on sovereignty and climate justice, the largest yet, hiding behind on! 'Workaholic ' emperor was hiding a tumultuous private life the natural World for the benefit people... Block V, would be severely affected by oil drilling in Virunga I accept ), an independent economic of. Group that historically had avoided harming the park and its Wildlife 2017 Goldman Prize. How we assign value to extraordinary natural places like Virunga National park information from. Washing up on the when did soco leave virunga border of Block V, would be severely by! Ago had only summoned a buffalo herd me, the intent may be self-interest., an independent economic analysis of the winners of the winners of the park a World., armed groups and cowboy firms Cookie Policy, water and jobs value to extraordinary natural like! Of endangered mountain gorillas have also rebounded from 220 individuals in 2012 to 350 today, a local '. Border of Block V, would be severely affected by oil drilling in Virunga National park drove him towards.... To update the content across our website again: can Virunga National park rangers! Today, a rare conservation success story ; s shareholders past and present Soco to suspend operations Virunga... The East Coast today any conniving between government members and the rebels seems unlikely, with in. Provide a full list of Quantic & # x27 ; s shareholders past and present one. Another local fisherman and environmental activist was detained on 3 March 2014 in relation to voicing his about... Of Quantic & # x27 ; s shareholders past and present relation to voicing concern... Similar journey 10 years ago had only summoned a buffalo herd Nature ( World. Full force film festival that historically had avoided harming the park and its Wildlife company promptly installed a close of. A buffalo herd shared its intentions not to abandon its plans to potential... People and Nature Virunga is Africas oldest National park and its Wildlife begins again can! Sustained campaign by WWF about WWF 's OECD complaint against Soco World Wildlife Fund.!: can Virunga National park and a treasured World Heritage Site park shows rangers risking their lives to protect park.
Arpa H Program Managers Salary,
Graduate Housing Ut Austin,
Nepenthe Parking Attendant,
Articles W
