Thousands of Congolese Residents Face Displacement Due to US-EU Infrastructure Project
A massive infrastructure project backed by the European Union and the United States, aimed at upgrading colonial-era rail tracks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), could displace up to 6,500 people from their homes in the coming months. The Lobito Corridor project, which spans over 1,200 kilometers, seeks to modernize infrastructure and increase trade with neighboring countries.
Satellite data analysis by the campaign group Global Witness reveals that nearly 1,200 buildings along the planned route are set for demolition due to rehabilitation work. Many residents have built homes and businesses close to the railway line, without realizing they lived within a buffer zone where construction is restricted.
Critics argue that the project's environmental impact assessment process has been inadequate, with many residents expressing fear of being forcibly evicted without compensation. Local officials and union members claim that the DRC government and rail operator Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer du Congo (SNCC) are aware of these concerns but have failed to address them.
The project is driven by a global push for "critical minerals" used in green energy technologies, such as electric car batteries. Western countries, China, and Gulf states vie for control over the lucrative trade. The US government has pledged $553 million to upgrade Lobito port, while the EU has committed €50 million (£44m) for upgrading Zambian rail infrastructure.
Despite these investments, environmentalists and human rights groups have raised concerns about the project's potential social impact. "You can't say [the residents] are 'illegal'," said Donat Kambola, president of Initiative pour la Bonne Gouvernance et les Droits Humains (IBGDH). "No one has prevented them from building."
Global Witness estimates that the larger buffer zone planned for future rehabilitation could displace thousands more. As the project advances, it is uncertain whether adequate measures will be taken to mitigate its social impact and protect the rights of affected residents.
The EU claims to apply high social and environmental standards in its projects but has yet to provide detailed information on how these principles will be applied in this case. The project's developers and DRC authorities maintain that they are not aware of evidence supporting the claim of widespread displacement, but local residents remain concerned about their future.
A massive infrastructure project backed by the European Union and the United States, aimed at upgrading colonial-era rail tracks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), could displace up to 6,500 people from their homes in the coming months. The Lobito Corridor project, which spans over 1,200 kilometers, seeks to modernize infrastructure and increase trade with neighboring countries.
Satellite data analysis by the campaign group Global Witness reveals that nearly 1,200 buildings along the planned route are set for demolition due to rehabilitation work. Many residents have built homes and businesses close to the railway line, without realizing they lived within a buffer zone where construction is restricted.
Critics argue that the project's environmental impact assessment process has been inadequate, with many residents expressing fear of being forcibly evicted without compensation. Local officials and union members claim that the DRC government and rail operator Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer du Congo (SNCC) are aware of these concerns but have failed to address them.
The project is driven by a global push for "critical minerals" used in green energy technologies, such as electric car batteries. Western countries, China, and Gulf states vie for control over the lucrative trade. The US government has pledged $553 million to upgrade Lobito port, while the EU has committed €50 million (£44m) for upgrading Zambian rail infrastructure.
Despite these investments, environmentalists and human rights groups have raised concerns about the project's potential social impact. "You can't say [the residents] are 'illegal'," said Donat Kambola, president of Initiative pour la Bonne Gouvernance et les Droits Humains (IBGDH). "No one has prevented them from building."
Global Witness estimates that the larger buffer zone planned for future rehabilitation could displace thousands more. As the project advances, it is uncertain whether adequate measures will be taken to mitigate its social impact and protect the rights of affected residents.
The EU claims to apply high social and environmental standards in its projects but has yet to provide detailed information on how these principles will be applied in this case. The project's developers and DRC authorities maintain that they are not aware of evidence supporting the claim of widespread displacement, but local residents remain concerned about their future.
. I mean, we're talking up to 6,500 people who could be displaced, and it's all because of a global push for "critical minerals" used in green energy technologies... like what? So the West can say they're saving the planet? Meanwhile, these people are just trying to live their lives and build homes. It's not right that they won't get compensation or have any say in the matter.
. I think they need to take responsibility for their actions and make sure these people's rights are protected. It's not too much to ask, is it? The fact that they're ignoring local concerns and pushing forward with the project without proper planning or compensation is just unacceptable.
. These projects might seem like a good deal for us, but at what cost to the people affected?
So many Congolese people are gonna lose their homes because of some infrastructure project... like, what even is the point of having a buffer zone if they're just gonna demolish all those buildings anyway? 
The EU and US are all about that "critical minerals" life, but at what cost to these poor people?! 
I mean, can't we prioritize human rights over some fancy green energy tech? 
It's like, the DRC government and SNCC just shrug it off and say "oh well, residents will figure it out"... no way! These ppl have built their lives around those buildings, they deserve better! 
What's up with all these promises of "high social and environmental standards" if nobody's actually doing anything to back them up? 
.
I feel so bad for those Congolese residents who built their homes & businesses without knowing they were in a buffer zone 
like, can't we just focus on humanity 4 once? 
seriously though, how can we expect the EU & US to have high social & environmental standards when they're not even giving us deets on how they'll apply them here? 
. Can't believe Western devs think they can just tear down homes without care 
. Green energy tech doesn't justify human suffering 
.
It's like they're not even considering the environmental impact or social consequences! 
but what about the human cost? 
The DRC has enough issues already, and now they're gonna have thousands more displaced due to this project? It's just not fair.
Donat Kambola is right, you can't just say people are "illegal" because they built homes near the railway line. They've got a right to live there too!
It just feels like another example of Western countries prioritizing their own interests over the needs of local communities.
They should've done a proper environmental impact assessment and consulted with locals before starting construction. And now they're saying it's not their fault that people built homes and businesses close to the railway line? Give me a break! 
The fact that Western countries, China, and Gulf states are all after those "critical minerals" used in green energy technologies just makes this whole thing even more shady. The EU claims to be all about high social and environmental standards but it sounds like they're just talking out of both sides of their mouth. 
I'm all for progress, but you can't just push through with a project without considering the people who might get hurt in the process. It's just not right! 
meanwhile, thousands of ppl could be losing their homes 
all these countries are vying for control over the DRC's resources and the Congolese ppl just get caught in the middle 