Sinafasi Makelo: Forest Janitor
T
he indigenous Pygmy tribes living in the Democratic Republic of Congo have
been through a long haul over the past twenty years. Due to a lack of recognition
and respect of rights, one tribe in particular, the Mbuti Pygmies, have suffered in the
face of a changing modern world. Struggling to fight against deforestation and war,
the Pygmies were lost and outspoken, and in desperate need of help. One man,
upset at the imbalance, set out to make a difference in the name of his people.
Adrien Sinafasi Makelo has spent years speaking as an
advocate for the rights of the Pygmies. He has worked hard
to influence major corporations, publish himself, and make
his voice heard outside of the Pygmy community.
Back in 2003, Makelo took a stance for his people and
spoke to the U.N. about the genocide effecting the Mbuti
Pygmies. Makelo and other indigenous advocates attended
a press conference about the war and genocide,
which was not well known at the time. He addressed
the U.N. and international audience that during the
attacks, rebel fighters committed acts of murder,
rape, and even cannibalism (Press Conference).
The fighters also used many pygmies as slaves,
forcing them to carry their goods and collect food.
Upon seeing these rebels exploiting his family,
Makelo raced to raise awareness internationally. He was so successful that the U.N.
sent peacekeepers to the region due to his
work and the success of his press conference.
Another major aspect to Makelo’s work was
reducing deforestation in the Congo region.
Upset at the shrinking forest, Makelo presented
to the World Bank in order to stop the damage
of the people’s homes. In 2007, the World Bank
tried to set up a strong forestry industry in the
Congolese forest that the pygmies could work
in, hoping that it would lessen the financial
strain the pygmies were under and allow them to be able to move. However, the
destruction of the forest only hurt the Pygmy people, and did the opposite of what
the World Bank claimed they wanted to do. The bank had been trying to help the