Conserv Congo

The interim chief of the Kayumba chieftaincy, Malemba Nkulu territory, was arrested on Sunday, May 11, 2026, at 10:00 AM, marking an important milestone in the fight against armed networks targeting national parks. He is accused of organizing attacks, acting as a liaison between field operatives and hidden rebel groups, and coordinating criminal activities in the region.
These arrests follow several serious incidents. At Upemba National Park (Lushinga area), armed groups attacked the park, killing, torturing, and kidnapping individuals, while stealing equipment including computers and phones. These attacks threatened park operations, local communities, and protected wildlife. In the Okapi Wildlife Reserve at Epulu, similar incursions endangered both wildlife and surrounding communities, highlighting the vulnerability of protected areas to armed groups.
Local communities played a critical role in reporting these individuals, allowing authorities to locate and arrest the perpetrators. However, Richard Ilunga, interim chief of the Kasenga Mondwe group in Kayumba, remains at large. He is considered the main link between the Upemba attackers and a hidden rebel cell, distributing fetishes and coordinating attacks, boasting of his immunity.
This arrest represents a major milestone and strong signal, but it is urgent to continue identifying and neutralizing the remaining threats. Community vigilance is essential to protect protected areas and support the work of security forces. Any information can be shared via WhatsApp: +243978169293

From Kivu to Kinshasa: Building the Green Belt, One
Community at a Time

At Conserv Congo, we believe that the future of conservation in the DRC will not be decided in boardrooms- but in villages, forests, and communities across the country.
Through our Green Network Program, we are actively connecting and empowering local organizations across all 26 provinces- creating a living, breathing ecosystem of grassroots actors committed to protecting our natural heritage.
From North & South Kivu, through the heart of the Congo Basin, all the way to Kinshasa, a new vision is taking shape:
A Green Belt of action, resilience, and local leadership.

🌱 This is not just conservation.
🌱 This is coordination.
🌱 This is ownership.

By strengthening community voices, supporting local initiatives, and aligning efforts across regions, we are turning fragmented actions into a unified national force.
Because the truth is simple:
Africa’s conservation will be saved by Africans- and it starts from the ground up.