The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is auctioning rights to explore for oil in large swathes of rainforest and other protected areas across the country. Baringa, in the northwest, is one of scores of communities affected. The process has sparked fierce yet familiar debate about environment and development, and set the stage for a legal fight over community rights.
Every time the sleeping giant try’s to get its country in order, a fresh mineral or natural resource is in the news! Resource curse indeed.