The Scorched Earth Dilemma: Farmers in eastern DRC Resort to Fire to Reclaim War-Torn Lands – With Devastating Consequences
The fragile peace emerging in the lubero territory of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reveals a harrowing reality for returning farmers: fields riddled with the hidden dangers of war. Following recent clashes between government forces and the M23 rebel group – a conflict fueled by regional tensions and resource competition – a desperate solution is taking root, one that trades immediate fear for long-term ecological and economic devastation.Farmers, unable to safely cultivate their land due to unexploded ordnance, are increasingly turning to fire, hoping to detonate hidden bombs and reclaim a semblance of control. However, this practice is unleashing a cascade of environmental problems, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.
A Legacy of Conflict, A New Threat to livelihoods
The recent fighting, part of a decades-long struggle for control of the DRC’s rich mineral resources, has displaced over 2.8 million people in the country as of late 2023, according to the UNHCR. While a peace agreement signed last week between the DRC and Rwanda offers a glimmer of hope, the immediate aftermath presents a stark challenge. Returning to their farms, many find themselves facing a landscape littered with landmines, unexploded shells, and other remnants of war. Without adequate demining support – a critical need often overlooked in conflict zones – farmers feel they have no other option then to burn their fields.
This isn’t a new phenomenon. Communities in the region have a history of dealing with the aftermath of armed conflict in this way. In 2008, during clashes with the congrès National pour la Défense du Peuple, residents were forced to burn discarded military equipment left behind in their homes. Now, facing a similar predicament, they are extending this practice to their agricultural land. The logic is grimly simple: fire might trigger the explosions, making the land seemingly safe for cultivation.
The Environmental Cost of “Cleansing” by Fire
But this perceived solution is profoundly misguided. Experts warn that burning fields to clear unexploded ordnance is a dangerous trade-off, replacing one crisis with another.Maîtrise Matungulu, an environmental expert, explains that the practice fundamentally degrades the land. “The immediate ‘benefit’ is overshadowed by the long-term damage,” she states. “Burning destroys vital ground cover, leading to accelerated soil erosion and water loss.It depletes the essential nutrients in the topsoil, reducing its fertility and hindering future agricultural productivity. Furthermore, it decimates local biodiversity, impacting both plant and animal life.”
The consequences extend beyond the immediate farmland. The resulting air pollution contributes to respiratory problems, and the loss of vegetation disrupts local ecosystems. Consider the case of Paluku kingaha, who lost not only his field of trees but also 42 beehives – a critically important source of income from honey production – to a fire sparked by a neighbor’s attempt to clear their land. This illustrates how the ripple effects of this practice can devastate livelihoods beyond the immediate crop loss.
Food Security at Risk: A Cycle of desperation
the practice of burning fields is directly linked to the food insecurity plaguing the region. Displacement during the conflict left communities with depleted food stores, relying heavily on staples like cassava. However, even this basic sustenance is threatened by the destruction of farmland.
Anselme Hamundwate,a 23-year-old farmer,exemplifies this desperation. After burning his family’s field in Kirumba, he began plowing again in May, hoping to salvage what he coudl. Oripa Katungu Makembe faced a similar choice, burning a nearly-ready cassava crop, a heartbreaking decision driven by the fear of hidden explosives.
This cycle of fear and destruction is pushing communities further into a precarious situation. The loss of crops, combined with the degradation of the land, threatens to create a long-term food crisis, potentially requiring increased humanitarian aid and hindering the region’s recovery. According to the world Food Program, approximately 25.6 million people in the DRC are currently facing acute food insecurity, a number that is likely to rise if agricultural land continues to be destroyed.
Beyond Burning: Towards Enduring Solutions
addressing this complex problem requires a multi-faceted approach. Firstly, and moast critically, there is an urgent need for increased investment in demining programs. international organizations and the DRC government must prioritize the clearance of unexploded ordnance to make farmland safe for cultivation.Secondly, sustainable agricultural practices, such as agroforestry and conservation tillage, can help to restore degraded land and improve soil health. These methods not only enhance agricultural productivity but also contribute to environmental resilience.
community education is crucial. Farmers need to be informed about the dangers of burning fields and provided with alternative methods for identifying and reporting unexploded ordnance. Empowering communities with knowledge and resources is essential for breaking the cycle of desperation and building a more sustainable future for the Lubero territory.
The situation in Eastern
the Scorched Earth Dilemma: Farmers Risk Life and Limb to Reclaim DRC Land
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is grappling with a disturbing trend: farmers are increasingly resorting to burning their fields in a desperate attempt to make land safe from unexploded ordnance left behind by decades of conflict. While seemingly a quick fix, this practice is proving to be both incredibly dangerous and ultimately counterproductive, hindering long-term recovery and posing a severe threat to civilian lives. The situation is particularly acute in regions like Ituri, Tanganyika, Kasai, and South Kivu, where the legacy of armed groups continues to plague communities.
A dangerous Illusion of Safety
The impulse behind this destructive tactic is understandable. Years of fighting between various armed groups,including the M23,have left vast swathes of land littered with landmines,improvised explosive devices (IEDs),and unexploded remnants of war. Farmers, eager to return to their livelihoods and cultivate their land, often believe that fire will detonate these hidden dangers. However, experts warn this is a dangerous misconception.
“Setting fires in areas suspected of containing explosives is strictly prohibited in demining operations,” explains a representative from a leading Congolese demining organization. “While fire can potentially trigger smaller devices like grenades, it’s largely ineffective against larger, more stable ordnance such as mortars, rockets, and artillery shells.” In fact, the heat from a bushfire is often insufficient to initiate detonation, leaving these larger explosives intact and even more difficult to detect.
The risks are tragically real. In August of last year, in Rutshuru territory, a burned vehicle concealed an IED.Four children, unaware of the danger, discovered the device amongst the ashes and were fatally injured when it exploded. This incident underscores a critical point: burning fields doesn’t eliminate the threat; it merely masks it, potentially complicating future demining efforts by destroying crucial evidence of explosive locations. According to the UN mine Action Service (UNMAS), the DRC remains one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, with over 1,200 square kilometers of land contaminated with explosive remnants. Between January and March 2024 alone, UNMAS reported 68 casualties from landmines and explosive remnants of war, highlighting the ongoing severity of the problem.
The Legal Void and the Challenge of Enforcement
The international community has established frameworks to address the issue of explosive remnants of war. Protocol V of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, adopted in 2003, obligates parties to armed conflict to clear explosive remnants from territories under their control after hostilities cease. It also calls for providing assistance to clear explosives from areas outside their control. Though, the DRC has not ratified this protocol, nor the original convention, leaving a significant legal gap in addressing the issue.
This lack of ratification, coupled with the ongoing presence of non-state actors like M23 – who are not bound by international agreements – creates a complex and challenging surroundings for demining efforts. Enforcement of any restrictions on burning fields is also difficult, particularly in remote areas where state authority is limited.
From Fields to Charcoal: A Cycle of Destruction
The consequences of burning fields extend beyond the immediate risk of explosions.The practice often leads to deforestation and soil degradation, further hindering agricultural productivity. in areas like Pandaroma,near Kirumba,landowners are resorting to burning eucalyptus plantations,fearing hidden explosives,and then converting the charred remains into charcoal. While providing a short-term source of income, this practice exacerbates environmental damage and contributes to a cycle of destruction.
This mirrors a similar situation in neighboring countries like Angola, where decades of civil war left vast areas contaminated with landmines. There, communities have also turned to unsustainable practices like charcoal production to survive, further degrading the environment and hindering long-term growth.
A Path Forward: Prioritizing Demining and Community Education
Addressing the “scorched earth” dilemma requires a multi-faceted approach. Firstly,increased investment in demining operations is crucial. While organizations like UNMAS and Synergie de Lutte Antimines are working tirelessly, they are severely under-resourced given the scale of the problem. Secondly, extensive risk education programs are needed to inform communities about the dangers of unexploded ordnance and the futility of burning fields. These programs should emphasize safe farming practices and provide alternative livelihood options.the DRC government must prioritize the ratification of international conventions related to explosive remnants of war. This would demonstrate a commitment to protecting its citizens and facilitate greater international cooperation in addressing this critical issue. Only through a concerted effort involving the government, international organizations, and local communities can the DRC break the cycle of destruction and reclaim its land for a safe and sustainable future.
The Enduring Threat of Unexploded Ordnance in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of congo (DRC) continues to leave a devastating legacy of unexploded ordnance, posing a significant threat to civilian lives and hindering agricultural productivity. Recent reports indicate a consistently rising number of casualties in North Kivu, where active clashes have left a trail of dangerous remnants of war. tragically, incidents like those in Kahande and Alimbongo – where young boys were killed after accidentally disturbing grenades while farming – are becoming increasingly common [[2]]. In Kanyabayonga, a civilian suffered life-altering injuries, losing a leg to an explosive device.
The problem extends beyond immediate casualties. A recent United Nations Security Council report highlighted the alarming presence of unexploded ordnance not only in open fields but also within community spaces like churches, schools, and hospitals, creating a pervasive atmosphere of fear and risk [[2]]. Efforts are underway in South Kivu, where collaborative initiatives between UN partners have successfully cleared 22 schools of discarded explosives, demonstrating a proactive, though localized, response.
The Urgent Need for Awareness and safe Practices
Experts emphasize the critical importance of public awareness and adherence to safety protocols. Zaria, a representative from an anti-mine group, stresses the dangers of common practices like burning land, which can detonate hidden explosives. He urges anyone encountering a suspected device to refrain from touching it, immediately alert those nearby, inform local authorities, and clearly mark the area as hazardous. Crucially, he advises against disposing of these devices in unsafe ways, such as latrines, rivers, or by burying them [[2]].
Funding Gaps and the Lubero Crisis
Despite the clear and present danger, addressing the issue of unexploded ordnance is severely hampered by a lack of resources. Zaria points to “insufficient funding for anti-mine activities,” a situation exacerbated by limited facts regarding the particularly vulnerable region of Lubero. Currently, no demining organizations operate in Lubero, and establishing a comprehensive clearance programme would require overcoming substantial financial, security, and logistical obstacles. According to a 2023 report by the Mines Advisory Group, the DRC is among the most heavily mined countries in the world, with an estimated millions of landmines and unexploded ordnance scattered across its territory.
The Intersection of Conflict, Hunger, and Safety
The impact of unexploded ordnance extends far beyond immediate physical harm. for communities reliant on agriculture, the presence of these devices renders vast swathes of land unusable, exacerbating food insecurity. Kasereka Lukogho, a 57-year-old farmer, poignantly expresses the desperation felt by many: “There’s no one who can remove the explosives left in our fields.How long are we going to wait? Hunger is its own war.” This sentiment underscores the urgent need for increased demining efforts, not only to save lives but also to safeguard livelihoods and promote long-term stability in the region [[3]].The situation demands a concerted and sustained international response to mitigate the enduring consequences of conflict and ensure the safety and well-being of the Congolese people.