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Navitaging Climate Justice : : Cop-28 and the Future of DRC as a Solution country AND Africa’s Climate change burden 

by Eunicia Lutete  updated on December 18, 2023      

The recently concluded COP-28 in the United Arab Emirates marked a significant step in the global fight against climate change, bringing together nations, activists, and stakeholders to address the urgent need for environmental action. As the largest UN conference to date, COP-28 aimed to tackle the escalating challenges posed by climate change, with a focus on transparency, accountability, and global cooperation. While the outcomes of COP-28 offer hope for a more sustainable future, the impact on third-world countries, particularly in Africa, requires careful analysis and consideration.  

Africa, often regarded as the continent with immense potential yet grappling with poverty, infrastructure challenges, and political instability, is disproportionately affected by the adverse effects of climate change. The United Nations reports highlight that African nations, though contributing the least to global emissions, endure the most climate-related disasters, including droughts, floods, and extreme temperatures.  


In this context, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), often referred to as the “lung of the planet” due to its vast rainforests and biodiversity, is adversely affected. These forests not only harbor rich biodiversity but also play a crucial role in regulating the global climate. However, the people of the DRC find themselves caught in a paradox. While their country is an environmental treasure, they endure the consequences of decisions and pollution originating from first-world countries that have historically prioritized development over environmental sustainability for future generations. Africa, the second largest continent, with a rich, un-spoilt Biodiversity, must have a major presence and seat in all Climate Change platforms. It is important to preserve what we have, whilst we collectively work towards restoring the damage that Humans have done to the Planet.    



 



  The positive outcomes of COP-28 hold promise for the DRC and Africa, especially in addressing the pressing issues they face:  

One of the key achievements of COP-28 was the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund. The Loss and Damage Fund, though symbolically significant, received pledges amounting to less than $1 billion, falling short of addressing the real financial needs. Adequate funding is crucial to support vulnerable nations in coping with the adverse impacts of climate change. For the DRC, this represents an opportunity to access much-needed financial support to cope with the impacts of climate change. The transparent distribution of these funds, as advocated by the DRC, could ensure that those who have impacted the planet less receive the necessary resources to adapt and recover.  

Furthermore, the emphasis on protecting ecosystems and biodiversity aligns with the DRC’s commitment to safeguard its natural heritage. With the rainforests under threat from deforestation and climate change, global cooperation is essential in preserving these vital ecosystems. As the DRC envisions its future, there is a clear commitment to embracing sustainable development practices. This stands in contrast to the historical development trajectories of first-world countries, emphasizing responsible and environmentally conscious approaches to growth.  

  

  

Moreover, The DRC, cognizant of its role as a global environmental steward, seeks to develop its nation responsibly. This includes a commitment to sustainable practices that prioritize both economic progress and environmental preservation for a more progressed society. The country recognizes the need to balance development with the preservation of its unique ecosystems and biodiversity. Furthermore, the DRC asserts its autonomy in determining the course of its development, rejecting a one-size-fits-all approach imposed by first-world countries. The nation advocates for the right to define its path, free from external interference that may prioritize profit over sustainability.  

In addition, African nations, including the DRC, demand climate justice. This means recognizing historical imbalances and the disproportionate impact of climate change on the continent. As the global community moves forward, it is crucial to acknowledge Africa’s agency in determining its future, embracing sustainable practices, and rejecting ruthless capitalist models that prioritize profit over people and the planet. Over and above that, one of the major achievements of the DRC was obtaining a fund of 62 million US dollars from polluting countries during COP-28. This fund will be used to strengthen the country’s new climate economy. For the first time, a country from the South was able to negotiate the terms, objectives, and standards of access to a fund of this scale. This demonstrates recognition of the DRC’s efforts in protecting the environment.  

The African and Development Bank and its partners mobilized over $175 million for the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa (AGIA) to help advance the program toward its first close of $500 million of early-stage project preparation and development capital during this global event. COP-28 serves as a critical juncture for Africa to assert its place in global climate discussions. The positive outcomes provide a foundation for cooperation, but the real impact lies in the continued commitment of the international community to support African nations in their pursuit of sustainable development.  

The outcomes of COP-28 present a ray of hope for the DRC and Africa. The emphasis on financial support, biodiversity protection, and sustainable development aligns with the aspirations of these nations. As the DRC navigates its path forward, it stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of African nations to develop responsibly, on their terms, and for the benefit of the entire Planet. The global community must respect and support these aspirations for a more just and sustainable future. 

Africa, the cradle of humanity, a land that stirs the soul with its mystic allure. My soul chose to be born in a land where golden savannahs stretch far and wide. A land where one can witness the plains come alive with the rhythmic footsteps of herds embarking on their breath-taking migration in a timeless display of resilience and unity. A country that holds beauty, that enchants the senses and ignites wonder.

My land, my motherland Kenya. Born into a Kenyan family of Asian descent, a family that has lived and breathed Kenya and Africa for previous 5 generations, I can only identify as a Kenyan, a proud 6th generation African. Brought up in a family where ‘Being Human’ was the main principal belief. We have been raised with values that don’t differ greatly from those of the thousands of tribes that make up Africa – roots, heritage, family, faith, morals, principles and more.

Many years ago, I stood on stage at a speech writing contest in High School, where I described the strategy behind Muhamad Ali’s glorious win where he “floated like a butterfly, and stung like a bee” against George Foreman, in the fight forever known as the ‘Rumble in the Jungle.’ Years later, never even in my wildest imagination, did I imagine I would be living in the very ‘jungle’ itself, and working in the world of strategic storytelling and encouraging the amplification of Congolese voices and narratives far and wide across the globe from the heart of Africa.

Congo or as it was then called Zaire, a land that was stamped in the memory of the World as the place where Ali fought Foreman and caused a mighty Rumble in the boxing world. A battle that was immortalised in the song ‘In Zaire’ sung by Johnny Wakelin. Congo was a land everyone wanted to know about.

A land that is endowed with all the riches known to mankind. A blessed land, with a rich cultural heritage and a teeming, deserving population. A land sadly destroyed by its colonial past. Which, since its independence, is slowly trying to attain its rightful place in the World. It is here that I arrived five years back.

As I look back on my first five years of living in the Democratic Republic of Congo, there have been moments of floating and very often, little stings. I moved to Kinshasa for love. In the beginning, I can honestly admit, it was not love for the city or the country or the people – I didn’t know enough about this 

ginormous country and the 100+ million people that fill its borders – it was personal love. But five years later, I never thought I could love a country and its people as though they were mine. That love comes from the heart that feels the mystic rhythm of the African land, and I couldn’t be prouder to call it home.

You can never shake the ancient dust of Africa off your boots – no matter how far and wide you travel.

Having lived in London for thirteen years followed by a few years in the Middle East, returning to Africa was natural. 

The love for Africa always remains in the soul. Living in the heart and soul of Central Africa, has been an adventure.

The narratives that have filled Western Media have sung a different song for many years, call it geo-politics, strategic positioning, economic control, all things aside, the story of the Congo has never really been told loudly by the Congolese themselves. From the outside looking in, the perceptions are dotted and plagued with negativity, but on the ground, the beating hearts of the Congolese are rumbling a little louder day by day towards progress, and it’s in these slivers of hope, that the true stories are revealed.

The stories that spotlight the young entrepreneur battling to build a viable business, young students carving out their careers currently into untapped and underdeveloped industries, the non-existent middle class that should build the private sector and contribute to its growth and the country’s economy, international investors building projects that create jobs and wealth for the locals as much as it does for the financial interest in the Congo. We can’t talk about changing the narrative of a country when we don’t discuss the positive changes that education, infrastructure developments, economic policies, universal health care, food self sufficiency etc can contribute towards developing Congo.

In Africa, a transformative era is on the horizon as the continent sets its sights on change and development like never before, and country examples like Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Morocco, and Kenya are a testament to these positive changes. A combined drive by the Africans to build an Africa by Africans for a future developed Africa. A daunting task as a fellow African who first arrived in Kinshasa for a two-week trip which quickly extended from month to month and snowballed into creating a business in the field of strategic advisory and communications. It was created around the simple premise – the African narrative needs to be written by the Africans, and the Congolese needed a platform for their voices to be heard as far and wide across the globe.

At the heart of Africa, the center of its soul, the Congolese beats are picking up. Business is quietly picking up, post the first peaceful democratic elections. As the incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi embarks on his second mandate, the world waits with bated breath for the promised change and greater development, the impact of which can be felt across the entire population. Whether its infrastructure, governance reform, education, better health, access to basic needs – there are plenty of conversations to be had. Storytelling, an essential part of Congolese culture, an oral tradition that is filled with narratives, stories, and songs, need to be told from the perceptions and opinions of the Congolese.

In the past, and especially in 2023 the power and bias of the international media came to the forefront.

Geopolitics and powerful Media Houses controlled and amplified the narrative that in their perception was important. It’s only natural to question the visibility of certain global issues over another. This raises the question about the impact of our voices when catastrophes and issues affecting an African country are narrated differently. Whether it’s election, unrest or other catastrophes affecting an African country, sometimes the western media does not consider it newsworthy because they do not have an in-depth understanding and information of the issues and disasters that affects this Continent.

There are a lot of positive changes happening as well, and these news worthy developments need to be made a part of the Global narrative. Positive or negative these conversations need to be had openly and who better than the Africans to be at the forefront of this narrative. The true voices of the Congolese need to be heard from their heart and soul and from their perspective. That’s when the true picture of the reality of their lives, struggles and aspirations emerges.

There is a need for a platform where the Congolese voices and the African voices can be heard, where views can be freely given not as a negative but as a positive approach to help bring the DRC to take its rightful place, not just in Africa but also in the World. Is it not our experiences from around the world when put together with like minded individuals – where greatness begins? Where stories and narratives become the basis for legacies.

DRConversations is the platform created as a gift for all the voices that need to be heard, for all the emotions that need to be expressed and to bring forth the dreams and aspirations of a nation on the cusp of development. Join this journey by sharing openly your knowledge and experience to make DRC a happy, positive and progressive Nation.

It’s time for another rumble in the jungle – Welcome to the conversations from the Congo.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             KS