The Democratic Republic of Congo now has its own Mountain Wilderness association
The Democratic Republic of Congo now has its own Mountain Wilderness chapter, joining other countries such as France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Catalonia and Pakistan. As part of Mountain Wilderness International (our umbrella organisation) and the International Working Group set up by MW France, MW France interviewed Keren Akatshi, Acting President of MW DR Congo, to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the association, learn about its initiatives, and explore potential avenues for collaboration. This article presents the insights and statements gathered during that interview.
Genesis of an MW association in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The MW DR Congo association was officially established on November 16, 2024.
The mountains of the DRC, rich yet fragile, lie at the heart of the country’s natural heritage. The initiative to protect them was born from the dedication of young Congolese committed to preserving both mountains and the environment. They initially drew inspiration from MW France, unaware that it was part of the larger Mountain Wilderness International network.
In its early days, MW DR Congo operated as a branch of the Congolese Federation of Sport Climbing and Mountain Sports, promoting mountain conservation through sports, awareness campaigns, and youth engagement. Over time, the need for a structure dedicated exclusively to the protection of mountains and natural areas became clear. This is how MW DR Congo gradually developed into a fully independent organization.
A young association destined to grow
MW DR Congo is structured in an organized, participatory, and action-oriented way, focused on the mountain environments. It includes an executive board, volunteers, and partners committed to protecting mountainous and hilly areas.
Today, MW DR Congo has ten members, mainly young people, environmental activists, and mountain enthusiasts. This number is expected to grow through field actions and awareness campaigns.
MW DR Congo is recognized at the provincial level in Kinshasa and is actively working toward obtaining national recognition, for which procedures are currently underway.
A threatened natural heritage in need of protection
The DRC is best known for its vast forests, but it also has many mountainous areas, mainly in the east and south of the country, reaching their highest point at Margherita Peak (5,109 m).
The mountains of Congo face serious threats, despite being vital for biodiversity, water resources, climate regulation, and the livelihoods of local communities. They occupy a central, multifaceted, and deeply rooted place in the lives of the people who depend on them.
Deforestation, mining, unregulated agriculture, armed conflicts, population pressure, and the impact of climate change are severely weakening these fragile ecosystems.
A strong connection between mountain areas and local communities
For communities living in mountainous regions, these landscapes are not just a home, they are a space of life, culture and identity. They provide land for agriculture, water for daily consumption, and represent a heritage passed down through generations.
In rural areas, mountains and hills support agriculture, livestock farming, and subsistence activities. They play a major role in soil fertility, water regulation and protection against erosion.
In urban areas, even from a distance, populations depend heavily on mountains for drinking water supply, local climate regulation, and certain natural resources essential to daily life.
For many Congolese communities, mountains are also places of worship and spirituality. They are associated with traditions, rituals, ancestral beliefs, and respect for the spirits of nature.
Finally, Congolese mountains have significant yet underdeveloped tourism and cultural potential, particularly through ecotourism, hiking, and natural landscapes, which can contribute to local development if they are sustainably managed.
| “A mountain at peace is a population in safety: our wild and living mountains, protected, carry the future of an entire nation.” This is how the Acting President of MW DR Congo expresses the association’s purpose. |
Fields of action, ongoing initiatives, and projects
The fields of action of MW France are fully relevant to MW DR Congo, and several of its approaches can also apply there.
MW DR Congo aims to work toward protecting mountains and hills, as well as promoting environmentally respectful practices in agriculture, livestock farming, and community activities. It is also involved in the fight against erosion risks, deforestation, soil degradation, and the impacts of climate change.
Its strategies include awareness campaigns, mobilization and support for local populations and youth, education about the environment in schools and communities, development of sustainable activities (such as ecotourism), and collaborations and partnerships with local institutions.
Their current projects focus on raising awareness among communities and young people about the protection of mountains and hills, as well as reforestation efforts, soil restoration, protection of water sources, and fragile ecosystems. Field visits and online sessions have already been conducted. These initial efforts are considered encouraging and are laying the groundwork for future actions.
A need to build capacity
MW DR Congo seeks to develop concrete collaborations with MW France and other partners (so far, exchanges have mainly consisted in contacts and discussions), following several goals:
- Training and building capacity for its members and local partners
- Exchange of experiences and best practices in mountain and hill protection
- Joint projects for mountain protection and community awareness
- Participation in the Kivu–Kinshasa Green Corridor project, initiated by President Félix Tshisekedi in Davos, aiming to preserve ecosystems, strengthen ecological connectivity, and support sustainable development for local populations
The English translation of this interview, originally published in French under the title La République Démocratique du Congo a désormais son association Mountain Wilderness, was provided by MW France, to whom we extend our thanks.