During 25 days in April and May 2022 the Lithium Diaries team went to Manono to talk with the locals about the new lithium mining project planned at the town, and hear about life in their part of the DRC. Below is a collection of interviews from that time.
Since we returned from Manono much has changed in the town. The interviews should be viewed as a snapshot from the time when they were made. All interviewees gave their full permission to be interviewed and their images to be used. Their opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Lithium Diaries team. This website is intended as a space to archive local views and opinions and for them to be listened to.
Abbé Moise KILUBA KALENGA MULUBA
A priest of the Diocese of Manono, Abbé Moise is also a committed organiser in civil society, focusing on mining, the protection of civilians, community conflict resolution and governance. He has been President of the Coordination of Civil Society/Vital Forces in the Manono territory from November 2014 to the present day and he is currently serving his third term.
Ms Béatrice Maganga Selemani
A local leader in the territory of Manono, Béatrice is Head of the Gender, Family and Children Department.
Lazare MWILAMBWE
Lazare is a former teacher. He currently works at the Diocesan Commission for Justice and Peace (CDJP) in Kalemie. He is passionate about environmental issues and natural resources.
Dieumerci Kabila
Social actor of the Manono territory; Dieumerci Kabila is the General Director of Radio Television Trait d'Union broadcasting in Manono.
Valeri NKUMWIMBA WA MWAMBA
Valeri is a civil society actor and President of the Coordination of the New Congolese Civil Society of Manono.
Mwamba Mubamba Victor
Born in Manono on 13 March 1948, Mwamba Mubamba Victor did four years of post-primary education. Formerly of the Congo Etain company. He remains nostalgic for the time of Congo Etain and remembers how the employees were well treated and well paid. He also spent some time during the 1964 war in Mulele where he operated in Fizi, Kalemie, Fizi, Baraka, Makobola, etc. Victor was one of those who liberated the part of the DR Congo that was occupied by the rebels of Pierre Mulele.
Olivier Mulimbi Mutombo
Olivier is a young citizen of Manono, where he was born and raised. He is a trader and a member of the COMICO mining cooperative.
Mutombo Ilunga Yvette
Yvette is a teacher at Mande Banza Primary School in Manono. Before taking up chalk, Yvette had first worked in the mines as an artisanal miner.
Abbot Joseph Mwamba Wa Ngoyi
A parish priest, Joseph is the parish priest of Sainte Barbe de Manono. He is also involved in local civil society activities.
Ngoyi Mulume Jacques
Jacques is a young artisanal miner from Manono. He has already worked in several mining sites in the area. He is training to become a teacher.
Abbé Alain B'TIEN
A parish priest, Abbé Alain is the local representative of the Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission (CDJP).
Ms KASONGO KIYANA Iliade
Mrs Iliade works at the CDJP as a Community Facilitator. Before coming to Manon, she worked in Lubumbashi.
Kabulo Tabu Florence
Florence is a second-year primary school teacher at Muzee Laurent Désiré Kabila Primary School in Manono.
Dr Patrice
A hospital doctor, Dr Patrice is the Chief Medical Officer for the Manono Health Zone. He is based in Manono, the capital of the territory.
Reverend Pastor Tumaleo Kibonge la Douce.
La Douce is in charge of the Ecclesiastical District of Manono territory of the Methodist Church. The district has several parishes with several pastors. She preaches the word of God and supervises several parishes including Malala, Mwele, Kamalondo, Manono-Centre, Majengo Mapya, Cité, Muyumba-Port, Muyumba Bulungo, Bundala, Ilunga-Ngoie Kimwanga, KaKachambuyu Longolongo. She regularly visits all these parishes, some of which are more than 75 km away. La Douce is one of the few women in the Manono territory to hold a high office in such a large church.
Mukalayi Chikala Jean Charles
Born in Manono and raised in Manono in 1974. Jean Charles is a former driver-mechanic. He studied at the Tunkakamane Institute in Manono, formerly called Antenne Officielle during the Belgian colony. He lived through the 1960 war in September with the Balubak and the Conakat. A former Geomines driver mechanic, Jean Charles is currently retired. Until today, Jean Charles has remained one of the spokespersons of the former Geomines employees who continue to claim their salary and pension.
