During our last trip to Tshiaberimu, one of our missions was to patrol the Muramba sector. We have been informed that local villagers were cultivating rice, beans and bananas inside the Park. Local villagers are instructed and supported by the Mai Mai to do so.

When we were approaching the area, the Mai Mai spotted us and started making signal noises for the others to escape the place. We only found the women and children who work the land. After long discussions and explanations about conservation in Virunga National Park, the women had agreed not to cultivate any longer. We estimate that around 8 hectares have already been cultivated. I have been informed there is a WWF programme to relocate the plantations of this community.

We went back to the patrol post to rest and spend the night.

The next day a Mai Mai commander, named Convoy, came to the post, with a very angry attitude, demanding explanations on our procedure. I have managed to take a picture of him without noticing (you can see him dressed as a civilian, wearing a red cup).

We have discussed for many hours, until we managed to negotiate they will wait until they get the crops out and then leave the plantations for good.

These two are Mai Mai escorts for the commander, again they didn’t notice I took this picture.

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