2024-07-01 23:18:45
Ituri is a remote, landlocked province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Its border with neighboring Uganda has always given it access to supplies, especially manufactured goods. But in recent years, the Congolese region, while known for its agriculture, has also imported market horticulture products. It blames inter-community violence that prevents farmers from going to the fields.
From our correspondent in the Democratic Republic of Congo:
At the ports of Chomia and Kaseni, the canoes are unloaded directly onto trucks on the shores of Lake Albert, about 50 kilometres from Bunia, the capital of Ituri. The cargoes are then transported to different locations in the four corners of the province.
« We transport cement, vegetable oil, bagged rice and a variety of consumer goods », explains the canoe captain.
In total, about twenty ships took turns sailing, with three or four ships traveling between the two countries every day. It comes directly here from Uganda, at the port of Chomya”, explains Olivier, who defines himself as a cooperative customs agent. Conversely, shipments from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Uganda do not exist. »
« The Democratic Republic of Congo is agricultural land, but agriculture cannot be practiced due to insecurity »
Olivier is a former teacher who has been working here for three years. Many men are drawn to the two ports in search of day jobs. Many are displaced Conflict in Ituri has continued since 2017The violence comes amid ethnic rivalries and racism as communities clash over mining and agricultural land. The conflict benefits Uganda’s agricultural exports.
« Two canoes are already here, and a third is about to arrive, which will bring us the means of life, potatoes », explains Jacob Bimbona, President of Lac Albert Transport. The DRC is agricultural land, but agriculture cannot be practiced due to insecurity. Before, it wasn’t like that. Not all of these products came from Uganda. »
Gold shipped from DRC to Uganda
Only one Congolese product is exported from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Uganda: goldBut this invisible traffic is illegal. According to a study by an anti-corruption NGO, about 95% of the gold exported from Uganda is illegal.
READ ALSODemocratic Republic of the Congo: Fishing difficult on the Congolese shore of Lake Albert
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