Individuals who have attempted to reveal illegal commercial operations within a protected coastal reserve in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been subjected to severe reprisals, including violent assaults and sexual violence, according to an investigation.
The Mangrove Marine Park, a Ramsar-convention wetland site on the DRC’s Atlantic coast, is a critical habitat for species including manatees and endangered sea turtles. In 2022, conservation expert Kim Rebholz was appointed by the government to oversee the park’s protection.
His initial patrols, however, uncovered extensive violations of the park’s strict regulations. He discovered a vast industrial palm oil plantation, spanning hundreds of hectares within the park’s boundaries. Local sources and documents identified the plantation as belonging to a company owned by former president Joseph Kabila. The operation has severely reduced vital habitat, with reports indicating local buffalo populations have nearly vanished.
Further investigation revealed additional illegal infrastructure, including ports used for unauthorized logging and fuel smuggling. One oil industry source indicated nearly a third of the fuel sold in the capital, Kinshasa, was trafficked through such operations.
After Rebholz formally called for an official inquiry into these activities, he and his family were targeted. In early 2023, armed assailants broke into his home. He was subjected to a mock execution in front of his young son, while his wife was taken to another room and raped. The attackers referenced his work at the park during the assault.
Rebholz is not alone in facing retaliation. The leader of a Congolese NGO, which had previously published a report alleging a Kabila-owned farm encroached on a different national park, also survived a violent home invasion by armed men following the dismissal of a defamation case against the group.
Following the attack on his family, Rebholz filed a formal complaint and detailed his findings in a letter to the DRC’s environment minister and president, naming several senior officials and the former president. He subsequently left the country with his family. No investigation into the attack has been conducted.
Those accused have denied the allegations. A representative for the former park management called the claims “false and politically motivated,” while a company linked to one of the logging ports stated its operations are fully authorized.
In a recent development, the U.S. government has declared two of the named officials ineligible for entry due to their alleged involvement in significant corruption related to wildlife trafficking. Both men have denied these allegations.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Rebholz expressed hope that speaking out would foster greater local and international awareness, contributing to a more responsible future for the protected area.