By Esther Mwangaza
The Lemera cluster in the Democratic Republic of Congo is rich in cassiterite, a valuable mineral used in the global electronics industry. However, the pursuit of this mineral has led to conflicts with the ancestral land rights of Indigenous Pygmy communities. Mining operations have displaced many Pygmy families from their farmlands and cassava fields without consultation, leaving them without sustainable livelihoods and access to natural resources like water wells and sacred sites.
To address this crisis, Vision Des Filles Leaders Pour Le Développement has been working to empower the Indigenous Pygmy people. They have provided human rights awareness programs and established community paralegals in affected villages to advocate for the Pygmies' rights and speak out against the violations they face.
In April 2024, local authorities, in response to appeals and awareness campaigns, demanded that mining companies respect Pygmy sacred sites and cease destructive practices in extraction areas, marking a significant step towards recognizing Indigenous rights to their ancestral lands.
With support from Cultural Survival’s Indigenous Community Media Fund, Vision Des Filles has produced radio programs in the local Kifuliru language, reaching over 1,250 Pygmies. Covering important topics such as land rights, mining regulations, civil registration, and electoral participation of Indigenous Peoples, these programs have raised community awareness and empowered the Pygmies to assert their rights and participate in local decision-making processes.
The impact of these efforts is evident in the story of Tuzza Matumaini, who was able to reclaim her cassava field in Lemera village with Vision Des Filles’ support. “Thanks to the Lemera Radio broadcasts and the support of [Vision Des Filles], I was able to recover my cassava field, which a mining company had illegally taken. Now I can provide for my family again,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Chief Muzungu Kalingi, expressed his gratitude for the program. “The training we received enabled me to defend the rights of my people. Today, we are invited to participate in group meetings, which has never happened before," he said.
The program has not only strengthened the resistance of Pygmy communities against land abuse, but has also laid the groundwork for future collaboration with authorities and mining companies to ensure mutual respect for land rights and natural resources. Ongoing monitoring and support for community paralegals and awareness initiatives are crucial for the continued protection of the rights and heritage of the Pygmy communities.
The challenges faced in Lemera underscore the importance of balancing economic development with the protection of Indigenous land rights and culture. With support from organizations like Vision Des Filles, Pygmy communities are showing resilience and determination in their pursuit of a just and sustainable future through local decision-making processes.
Esther Mwangaza is Coordinator of Vision Des Filles Leaders Pour Le Développement
In 2024, Vision Des Filles Leaders Pour Le Développement received a grant from Cultural Survival’s Indigenous Community Fund, which provides opportunities for international Indigenous radio stations to strengthen their infrastructure and broadcast systems and creates training opportunities for journalism, broadcasting, audio editing, technical skills, and more for radio journalists from Indigenous communities around the world. In 2023, the Indigenous Community Media Fund supported communities with 60 grants totaling $420,000 to Indigenous community media in 20 countries, supporting 87 Indigenous Peoples.
