At least 31 cases of repression against environmental defenders recorded in 5 months (ACEDH)

The Congolese Organization for Alert on the Environment and Human Rights (ACEDH) has sounded the alarm over escalating repression and attacks targeting environmental and land defenders across several provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In a report released Tuesday, the NGO stated it had recorded at least 31 serious violations between August 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026, in five provinces.

These violations, documented in areas including Haut-Uélé, Maniema, Tshopo, Équateur, and Nord-Kivu, are attributed to various actors. Armed groups, notably the M23 rebellion in eastern DRC, and military personnel in government-controlled zones are cited as perpetrators. The report details alarming incidents, including at least six assassinations of defenders, 16 cases of legal proceedings aimed at intimidation, and the abduction of two eco-guards while on duty.

“

The NGO Alert Congolaise pour l’Environnement et les Droits Humains (ACEDH) sounds the alarm in the face of repression and attacks against land and climate defenders in several provinces of the DRC.

Olivier Ndoole, ACEDH's executive secretary, highlighted that the deteriorating security situation for environmental activists is driven by the activities of armed groups, particularly in the eastern part of the country, and the pervasive impunity for those who orchestrate these attacks. He finds it paradoxical that the DRC is presented as a "country of solutions" to the climate crisis while its environmental defenders face such grave threats.

“

The security situation is unstable.

The report indicates that provinces with significant mining activity, extensive forest cover, and national parks are particularly vulnerable to these violations, which often occur with widespread impunity. ACEDH is calling for institutional and legal reforms, including judicial investigations into the killings and arbitrary arrests of activists opposing multinational corporations or economic entities in the mining and forestry sectors. The NGO also recommends revising the law protecting human rights defenders and launching a national campaign against strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) used by multinationals to silence activists.

ACEDH emphasizes that the security of environmental defenders in these regions remains extremely fragile, underscoring the urgent need for protective measures and accountability.

“

The provinces characterized by high mining activity, significant forest cover, and the presence of national parks are particularly exposed to these serious violations, which often occur with generalized impunity.