About IWGIAIndigenous peoples in the Republic of Congo
The Republic of Congo, a vast forested country some 342,000 km² in size in the Congo basin, is rich in natural resources and biodiversity. The Congo’s indigenous population is estimated at approximately 10% of the total population, i.e. around 300,000 people out of a total of 3,900,000 inhabitants.
The indigenous population is divided into several groups, unequally distributed throughout the country and known by different names: Babenga, Babongo, Batwa, Bambenzelé, Baka, Baluma, Bangombé, Bagyeli, Bakola, Mbendjele and Mikaya and Bali.
Indigenous livelihood
Although found throughout the whole national territory, the indigenous population lives primarily in the departments of Niari, Lekoumou, Likouala, Plateaux and Sangha. Some have now settled on the land but most still live a semi-nomadic life based on hunting and gathering.
Some indigenous people are employed in farm work, cattle rearing and commercial hunting, whilst others, given their in-depth knowledge of the forest and its resources, are recruited by logging companies as trackers, prospectors or labourers. In general, indigenous peoples form the poorest and most vulnerable sector of the Congolese population.
Pro indigenous legislation and policies of the Republic of Congo
The Congolese government has taken a number of good initiatives over the last few years; The framework for implementing the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), approved by Decree No 2008/944 of 31 December 2008, takes into account indigenous peoples and a 2009-2013 national indigenous peoples’ plan, is now being implemented.
To these should be added:
-
The Constitution of 20 January 2002
-
Law No 003/91 of 23/04/1991 on environmental protection
-
Law No 16/2000 of 20/11/2000 on the Forest Code and its implementing regulations and Law No 10/2004 of 26/03/2004 codifying the State domain, which sets out general principles applicable to the land and property regimes.
The Republic of Congo is also a signatory to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Recent developments
In 2010, the Republic of Congo became the first country in Africa to adopt a law on the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples, which can be downloaded here 
