A Journey to Boteka: Where Only Oil Palms Enjoy the Right to Land in DRC’S Northwest

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has just taken a major step forward in the palm oil sector by officially joining the Council of Palm Oil-Producing Countries (CPOPC).This strategic decision, welcomed by Plantations et Oileries du Congo (PHC), marks a revival for a once flourishing sector, today in search of recovery [...] The post Palm Oil: the DRC joins the Council of Producer Countries, PHC welcomes a decisive turning point appeared …

A Journey to Boteka: Where Only Oil Palms Enjoy the Right to Land in DRC’S Northwest

By Jonas Kiriko Already in conflict with local communities over land grabbing, Plantation et Huilerie du Congo (PHC) has just acquired new concessions to expand its palm oil plantations in Boteka. This deprived local communities of nearly 2,500 hectares of arable land.  On a rainy morning, all is set for my journey from Mbandaka, the capital of the province of Équateur to Boteka in the Northwest of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It’s an…