In Lubero in North Kivu in Eastern of the Democratic Republic of Congo, from May 29 to 31, 2026, a delegation of 10 members of the Forest Concession of Local Communities ( CFCL ) of Bamasobha in the Bapakombe group, in Bapere led a 3-day patrol in its conservation zone. Under the leadership of the President of the Local Management Committee, Mr. Gangala Yafali.

The mission brought together, thanks to the help of young COLO and PA Indigenous Pygmies from all lineages << : M’pembe, Abhala, Mambombo, with 4 PA >>.

According to Gangala, the objective is to absorb the state of the forest, identify its riches and strengthen community ownership of this CFCL of Bamasobha.

Major discoveries of the patrol :

Richness in NTFP : The forest is full of “ Mbobhi/Kekele ” and “ M’bôgó ” lianas. Highly sought after for the construction of houses, traditional and modern chairs. PAs even use it instead of nails to reinforce tree bridge frames.

Natural heritage :

Visit the giant tree “ Tinam’bé ” with a circumference of more than 5m. Discovery of the “ Goa Là Bhamuugu ” waterfall on the Màguètè mountain range, and the natural watering hole “ IDhô Là Mamoome ” on the Bhémuugu river, where animals and birds come to drink.

Biodiversity and PA knowledge:

In N’Sabéo, a PA couple demonstrated traditional honey extraction. In Màtoto, a research area for products for porcupine animals, patrollers discovered a new pod fruit  » Énjé « , consumed by humans and animals.

Security alert :

Patrollers noted that fraudulent hunters had occupied the area two days before their arrival, confirming the need for regular patrols to protect the CFCL.

President of the management committee of CFCL BAMASOBHA, Mr. Gangala Yafali spoke to the editorial staff of RFE1NEWS.ORG ( THE NEWS THEMOMETER IN THE WORLD ) by declaring

“ This patrol proved that our young people and our Pygmy brothers know their forest. Mbobhi, M’bôgó, Énjé, the honey of N’Sabéo… these are our riches. If we protect them together, the CFCL Bamasobha will feed our children ” He declared.

Carine Mabanga