Adopt a Tree, not a Weapon
This armed violence has devastated entire regions, leaving hundreds of thousands dead and displaced, as well as causing the destruction of infrastructure and the degradation of the environment. Forests, which constitute a vital part of the Congolese ecosystem, are particularly affected. Armed groups illegally exploit natural resources, deforest forests to make charcoal, and local wildlife is decimated.
This environmental destruction further worsens the living conditions of local populations, who depend on natural resources for their livelihood. Additionally, the continued presence of armed groups in forests makes these areas dangerous and inaccessible for local communities, preventing them from practicing agricultural activities and sustainably managing their resources.
Fortunately, there are initiatives at the local level, led by civil society organisations, to try to counter this armed violence and its multifaceted impact. The ‘adopt a tree, not a weapon’ programme[MV1] [MV2] [JV3] of the youth organisation called Amani-Institute ASBL is a perfect example.
“Armed conflicts in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo have led to immeasurable human losses, massive population displacements and chronic instability. At the same time, destructive practices associated with these conflicts, such as illegal exploitation of natural resources, massive deforestation and unregulated hunting, have seriously damaged the environment,” declares François Kamate, an activist for socio-environmental justice and one of the leaders of the Amani-Institute ASBL.
Kamate is concerned about the massive and rapid deforestation currently in the Virunga Park where, according to him, armed militiamen, displaced people from war and even Congolese soldiers participate in this illegal market which destroys the environment.
The innovative ‘adopt a tree, not a weapon’ initiative
The ‘adopt a tree, not a weapon’ project was designed in 2019 by young volunteers from the Amani-Institute ASBL. This project aims to mobilise the Congolese youth around a reforestation and peace awareness initiative through participatory forum theatre in the psychodrama style.
Representing a large part of the population, young people are often the most vulnerable to recruiters from armed groups. The project offers them a concrete and rewarding alternative: committing to peace and environmental protection.
The objective is two-fold, according to Kamate: “to offer a positive alternative to armed violence and to restore degraded local ecosystems.” He adds, “the principle of the project is simple but powerful, instead of taking up arms, young people are invited to each adopt a tree, a symbol of life, growth and peace.”
These young volunteers are trained in both the art of theatre, to know how to peacefully express their opinions, and in reforestation techniques, nursery management and tree planting. They are also made aware of the issues of peace and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
By becoming ambassadors for peace and environmental protection, these young people play a key role in the transformation of their communities.
For participants, each tree planted represents an act of mental and physical reconstruction, a gesture of resistance against violence, and a direct contribution to the reconstruction of Congolese forests and the protection of biodiversity:
“Taking part in this programme allowed me to rebuild myself mentally and physically, in the heat of the moment by planting a tree and taking care of it regularly, I try to forget all the macabre and atrocious scenes that I have lived and suffered during the nearly two years I spent in the bush as a child soldier,” testifies Kadogo, a former child soldier in the DRC.
In areas affected by armed conflicts in the DRC, these planted trees, in addition to restoring ecosystems, symbolise the hope and resilience of local communities in the face of violence.
Media mobilisation: community radio a vector of change
Broadcasting from the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the community and environmental radio RCEKA-Fm – broadcasting on the FM band at 89.2Mhz from the rural commune of Kanyabayonga on the edge of the Virunga park – also plays a crucial role in supporting efforts to counter violence directly affecting human lives and the local environment.
Through its daily interactive programs and broadcast in local languages, this radio denounces socio-environmental crimes in the region in three ways. It gives a voice to the victims, reveals the abuses committed by illegal actors (particularly armed groups) and raises public awareness to the consequences of these crimes.
“We involve local leaders, women and young people, to strengthen community engagement for the protection of natural resources, while promoting peace and social cohesion in this fragile context marked by the increased activism of local armed groups and foreigners,” says Patricia Kasoki, radio producer and programme director.
She adds that the radio has often been attacked perhaps because of its role in mobilising public opinion to demand justice and reinforce the responsibility of authorities. The most recent attack on the radio RCEKA-Fm was carried out by armed men who ransacked its installations and took away all the equipment necessary for its operation.
Hope for humanity and our environment
Let us say that ultimately, despite the general crisis currently in the DRC, a future of peace and sustainability is not only possible, but also in the process of being built, through initiatives like these. And it is thanks to the determination and commitment of the young Congolese.
Further Resources:
-X radio account: https://x.com/RadioRCEKAFm
-A recognition for the radio work: https://farmradio.org/fr/patricia-kasoki-laureate-du-prix-des-communications-george-atkins-2022/
-Facebook Amani-Institute ASBL account: https://web.facebook.com/AmaniInstituteASBL
