In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Tshikapa and Kasaï rivers have been affected by the gradual coloration of their reddish waters since the end of July. Dead fish float on the surface and the bodies of aquatic animals, such as hippos, have also been found.
as reported from Kinshasa, Patient Ligodi
According to the Congolese authorities, this pollution is caused by dumping in these rivers of toxic substances from a diamond processing plant based in the Angolan province of Lunda Norte. This pollution also affects the Fimi and Kwilu rivers. The situation is taken seriously on the Congolese side. The authorities fear a more serious crisis.
Thus, the Congolese authorities have banned the consumption of fish and other dead animals found in and around these rivers. Domestic use of water from these rivers is also not recommended.
MP Guy Mafuta is elected from Tshikapa. He brought the file to Parliament: “We absolutely have to think about water drilling. It is necessary to create a distance between the population by the river and these waters. The food problem will also arise. Medicines for waterborne diseases should also be considered. There are already cases of diarrhea and vomiting. This shows a difficult time for the population ”.
The province of Kasai bears the name of its river, a pretty symbol.
What happens to this criminal pollution of its waters is like removing the Congo River from the cities of Bandaka or Kisangani.
Dead brood fish, it’s a big ruined fish reserve. pic.twitter.com/x2w1Vxrmic
– ??? ?????? ??????? ?? (@Guymafuta) August 14, 2021 Congo Basin Water Resources Research Center (CRREBaC), based at the University of Kinshasa, fears major consequences for the region. One of them would be groundwater pollution that can have negative effects for several years. He thus advocates serious studies.
Laws from the Ministry of the Environment have been deployed along the Kasai River and in Kwilu.
At the diplomatic level, Christophe Lutundula, Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs, has opened contacts with the Angolan authorities and President Félix Tshisekedi has launched a call for the international community’s solidarity to help peoples in danger in the south of the country.
.
