Travel diary from the heart of the Congo Basin: voices and hopes of indigenous peoples

Raphael Mavambu

26 August 2025 2 min read

Kinshasa, August 26, 2025—In August 2025, Greenpeace Africa led an exceptional expedition to the heart of the Congo Basin, to the villages of Lokolama and Penzélé, as well as to Mbandaka, in Equateur Province. The objective: “to document local solutions, strengthen ties with communities, amplify their voices, and celebrate International Indigenous Peoples’ Day.”

For several days, our team shared the daily lives of local populations, explored their ancestral knowledge, and listened to their aspirations. From community forest management to creative workshops with children, political meetings, and intense cultural moments, this expedition revealed a simple but fundamental reality: Indigenous peoples are the primary guardians of the forests and peatlands of the Congo Basin.

Through this series of blogs, we take you to the heart of this human and collective adventure. You will discover how the local and indigenous communities of Lokolama, Penzélé, and Mbandaka protect their environment, share their culture, and chart sustainable solutions for the future.

Because defending the forest also means defending the rights, dignity, and identity of those who live there. And also because no climate solution can succeed without them.