What's happened
Congo plans to auction 30 oil and gas blocks, sparking environmental and health concerns.
Why it matters
The auction of oil and gas blocks in Congo raises concerns about environmental and health impacts, as well as the distribution of wealth from natural resources.
What the papers say
The Independent reports on the concerns of residents and environmentalists about the impact of existing drilling operations on the environment and health. AP News also highlights the concerns of communities, rights groups, and environmental watchdogs about the potential harm from expanded drilling. Both sources provide firsthand accounts of the negative impact on local communities.
How we got here
The auction of oil and gas blocks in Congo follows longstanding issues of corruption and concerns about the distribution of wealth from natural resources.
More on these topics
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The Democratic Republic of the Congo, also known as Congo-Kinshasa, Zaire, DR Congo, DRC, the DROC, or simply the Congo, is a country located in Central Africa. It was formerly called Zaire.
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Perenco is an independent Anglo-French oil and gas company with a headquarters in London and Paris. It conducts exploration and production activities in 16 countries around the globe.