Through his exhibition "At the Heart of the Congo Basin," presented at the Angalia Gallery in Paris until February 28, British photographer Hugh Kinsella Cunningham offers a unique visual journey. After years of covering conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), he shifts his focus to celebrate the power of Africa's "green lung."

A little-known biodiversity sanctuary

The idea for the project stemmed from a simple observation: while exploring his archives, Cunningham realized the vastness of the ecosystems he had traversed. His work reveals a surprising DRC:

1. Geographical contrasts: From melting glaciers on the Ugandan border to savannas sheltering the country's last zebras.
2. Beauty under tension: The photographer points out that these exceptional natural sites often border conflict zones, making their access and protection complex.

The Congo River: The lifeblood

The river and its tributaries form the central theme of the exhibition. In a region lacking infrastructure, water remains the only link between isolated communities and economic centers like Kinshasa.

"The river connects people. It is the main means of transport, but also a perilous journey because of the violent currents," explains the author.

For local populations, the river is a tool for economic survival (transport of wood, trade), despite the risks of tragic accidents.

A global climate bulwark

The Congo Basin has become the world's largest carbon sink , surpassing the Amazon. Its importance to the health of the planet rests on two pillars:

1. Peat bogs: Recently discovered, they sequester approximately 30 billion tons of CO2 , equivalent to three years of global emissions.
2. Forest resilience: Unlike the Amazon, the geographical isolation of the Congo Basin still protects it from total industrial exploitation.

The threats: Deforestation and global warming

Despite its status as a sanctuary, the urgency is real:

1. Industrial responsibility: While local charcoal production is visible, Cunningham points the finger at industrial forest concessions , responsible for massive deforestation (one million hectares lost per year in 2023-2024).
2. Climate change: The effects are already irreversible in some places. The Rwenzori glaciers are expected to disappear within ten years.
3. Political pressures: The project (finally cancelled in 2024) to auction oil and gas blocks in protected areas underlines the fragility of this balance.

Conclusion: A heartfelt plea for the DRC

For Hugh Kinsella Cunningham, who has lived in the DRC since 2019, this exhibition is a declaration of love for a country he considers the most fascinating in Africa. He hopes his work will allow people to see the DRC beyond the lens of war and encourage awareness of the need to preserve this world heritage.