Interconnected 2026: Community Forests or Mines? Territorial Conflicts in the DRC

More than one hundred active mining permits currently overlap with legally recognized community forests in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, raising urgent questions about land rights, environmental justice, and the future of forest governance. In partnership with Oisillons Group and drawing on journalist Jonas Kiriko's investigation, "On Paper, It's a Community Forest. On the Map, It's a Mine," this webinar will explore how communities that have worked to protect their forests are confronting the growing pressures of mining projects driven by global demand for critical minerals. Through journalism as a starting point for dialogue, the conversation aims to deepen understanding of the complex issues surrounding critical mineral extraction and inspire further research, and civic engagement on this topic. Speakers Jonas Kiriko is an investigative journalist with InfoNile and a 2025 Rainforest Investigative Network Fellow, specializing in environmental crimes in the Democratic Republic of Congo. -Jimmy Munguriek is a lawyer and Country Director of Resource Matters DRC, with extensive experience in natural resource governance, mining policy, and transparency in the extractive sector. -Fabien Mayani is a researcher, lecturer, and governance expert specializing in mining, extractive industries, environmental law, and climate justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo and across Africa. -Moderator: Flore Kayala is a journalist with Oisillons Group specializing in mining and environmental issues in the Democratic Republic of Congo.