How did civil strife beginning in the late 1990s disrupt conservation in the Ituri Forest?

Civil strife in the Democratic Republic of the Congo beginning in the late 1990s severely hindered conservation efforts within the Ituri Forest. The conflict, which included the devastating Second Congo War (1998–2003), created an environment where armed groups and foreign interests exploited the region's valuable natural resources, such as gold, diamonds, and coltan, to fund their activities.1

This instability directly impacted protected areas like the Okapi Wildlife Reserve and Maiko National Park, which are vital for safeguarding species such as the forest elephant, chimpanzee, and the endemic okapi. The presence of militias and the breakdown of regional security facilitated increased poaching and the destruction of forest habitats, undermining the management and protection of these ecosystems. Even after formal peace agreements were reached, the legacy of this period continued to pose significant challenges to the preservation of the forest's unique biodiversity.32