Rangers vs rebels
Category: Gorillas | Date: Aug 20 2008 | By: baraza
In Africa we always say that when elephant bulls fight its the grass that suffers.
In this article published today on The National, Matt Brown interviews a ranger who work for CNDP (Nkundas’s faction) and who is paid US% 10 per month by a conservation organization for this dangerous job.
“When the rebels took over the territory, most of the rangers from the government-run wildlife service fled the area. Those that remained are considered to be working for the rebels.“The ICCN [the Congolese wildlife service] refused to work with us because we are rebels,” said Canisius Kanamahalagi, a conservationist working for the rebels in the gorilla sector of the park. “They decided to take all the rangers and said whoever works here is considered a rebel.””
Can you imagine being in the shoes of Canisius? It must be very tough. There’s so much controversy over whether conservationists should support these rangers (or are they rebels?).
Nkunda has been in control of the Mikeno sector for nearly a year now and judging from the International Crisis Group reports here it looks like he’s there to stay for the time being. What do you think? In the interest of gorilla protection, should conservation organizations support the rangers now working for the rebel Laurent Nkunda?
If you could advise Emmanuel what would you say?
Tags: DR Congo, gorilla, Interational Crisis Group, Nkunda
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4 Responses to “Rangers vs rebels”
sheryl, washington dc, on 20 Aug 2008
I read this story yesterday but hadn’t really taken time to consider the issue. The problem I see is that we don’t honestly know if the rangers who stayed behind are actually getting the money that the unamed conservation organization is paying them. We also don’t know how much of what they tell a newspaper reporter is scripted for them by Nkunda. Mainly, they are not able to act in the gorilla’s best interests unless they are ordered to do so by Nkunda, who clearly does not have Congo’s best interest at heart, in any area.
Perhaps Mr. Kanamahalagi is honestly trying to do what he can for the gorillas in that sector, but he’s working for a rebel warlord with delusions of grandeur and that taints his efforts.
s.
Paula, on 20 Aug 2008
Hi Sheryl, I’ve spoken to the organization and can confirm that these rangers are getting their salary supplements - it ranges a little depending on the level of the ranger - I was told 14$ per month …but you make a really good point about the lack of transparency at our level (in teh conservation circles they have come clean… and they have been raked over the coals but have stood it’s ground on principle - gorilla conservation first.
TheTeach, Seattle, on 20 Aug 2008
Well, it’s dicey. In the long run we need to put the animals above the politics. We’d all like to see Nkunda out of there, but if the rebels won’t disband, and can’t be forced out without endangering the gorillas even more, it may just be better to keep things calm for all concerned. All least for now. Over time the situation may resolve itself. In the meantime, isn’t it better to know that rangers of some kind of capacity are looking after the gorillas in rebel held territory, and are doing so both with Nkunda’s blessing and the support of an NGO? I think right now that is about the best we can hope for. Keep the peace and you’ll save more gorillas. Maybe if things calm down, the ranger groups might be allowed to communicate with one-another regarding gorilla health, movements, family groups, etc, along the disputed territory. Above all else, we want the ICCN ranger patrol units to be safe. It would seem it was in everyone’s best interest to keep things calm. Mind you, I’m not condoning the presence of the rebels. Just looking at the situation at this point, and from the perspective of keeping both the gorillas and our patrol rangers safe. For us it will always be ICCN all the way when it comes to protecting Virunga!
Best Wishes
Lynne, USA, on 21 Aug 2008
I certainly do not trust Nkunda on any matter, but maybe he will protect the gorillas to gain notoriety for himself, and receive a payday as well. I only believe he will be of any help if he is going to benefit. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your rangers during this volatile situation. Nkunda is a creep. Stay away from him!
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