Tshiaberimu

Category: Butembo, Gorillas, Rangers, Tshiaberimu, Virunga National Park | Date: Feb 02 2009 | By: tshiaberimu

Hello this is Jean Claude. Since Safari Kakule, the head of monitoring at Mount Tshiaberimu, was murdered by militia on 8 January, we have been working hard to bring peace again to Tshiaberimu and ensure that those responsible for the attacks are caught.

On 28 January we arrested a man who was responsible for planning the tragic attack. The rangers based at Mulango wa Nyama carried out the arrest with the support of a team of rangers from the advanced force.

He was arrested at Nguli and then transferred to the public prosecution department in Beni by Director Mushenzi.

This man’s brother was responsible for planning the attacks last year, that led to the death of a WWF employee at Tshiaberimu. We sincerely hope that justice is done.

Since the recent attacks there has been a constant feeling of fear in the region. The wives of the rangers fled the camps and are staying in villages around the region.

Safari’s widow, is staying in Butembo, 53km from Tshiabirimu. Yesterday my wife arranged for the wives of the other rangers, and some women from Burusi village, to visit Safari’s widow and her three children to offer moral comfort and support. She was presented with a sack of coals, a sack of potatoes and a few kilos of peas. This is a very difficult time for this brave lady and all women in this area.

The women spent all day discussing the difficulties of working life at Tshiaberimu and expressed their support and gratitude to each other. This support network is very important during the difficult periods in DR Congo.

I will keep you updated if I have any more news.

2 responses so far

Category: Butembo, Gorillas, Kyondo, Tshiaberimu | Date: Oct 30 2008 | By: tshiaberimu

Hello, this is Jean Claude again. Thank you all so much for your messages of support.

We are following the situation carefully. This morning MONUC helicopters (UN peacekeepers) flew over Kyondo twice as they patrolled the area. But Kyondo and the area around Mount Tshiaberimu are safe at the moment. We have a problem with communication however, as both the Vodacom and Celtel networks have not been available since yesterday at Kyondo and Butembo. I’m using CCT network keep in touch with my colleagues in Goma.

At Mount Tshiaberimu everything carries on as normal for now, but I had a meeting with Katu, the local chief to establish an emergency plan if we need it.

My colleagues in Goma continue to sit tight. Yesterday there was fighting at Goma airport but MONUC have secured this area now. Things felt slightly calmer this morning but most people remain locked in their homes. We had some good news as the Gorilla Organization’s project partners based near Rutshuru, who we had lost touch with yesterday, are all safe and have been back in touch this morning.

I will keep you updated if I hear any more news.

4 responses so far

Category: Butembo, Gorillas, Tshiaberimu, Uncategorized | Date: Oct 29 2008 | By: tshiaberimu

Hello this is Jean Claude. At the moment we are safe at Mount Thsiaberimu but we are very concerned about the security situation at Goma.

I am at Kyondo at the moment and rebels have started to walk around. I have asked all staff to be very careful.

This morning I spoke to my colleague Henry who is in Goma. He had an ok night but there is fighting between the rebels and the Congolese army at Kibumba, just 30km from Goma. Gorilla Organization staff are staying in their homes for now but are keeping a very close eye on situation and an evacuation plan is in place should they need it.

Some Gorilla Organization partners are based in Rutshuru (between Goma and Mt Tshiaberimu) which is now under control of the Nkunda’s rebels. We had contact with staff there yesterday but today we have lost contact. We think they may have fled towards Uganda for safety.

The road from Rutshuru leads all the way up to Butembo, north of Mount Tshiaberimu and we fear that Rutshuru could be used as a door to move further north.

For the moment things are ok at Mount Tshiaberimu but we will keep in close contacts with all our colleagues and pray for the people and gorillas of the area.

7 responses so far