Indigenous peoples

The true traditional “owners” of the forest, indigenous peoples remain highly marginalized today. With a semi-nomadic culture, they are often victims of exploitation by certain Bantu populations and, in some cases, subjected to forms of enslavement.

The distrust and feeling of inferiority fueled by generations of discrimination make their approach delicate: indigenous people sometimes refuse outside help due to their attachment to their traditions.

The company is committed to supporting them freely, in total respect of their lifestyles, so that they can benefit, if they wish, from the educational and health programs that have been put in place.

One of the objectives is also to promote their integration into sustainable management processes, notably through participatory social mapping and consultation. Likouala Timber also works to strengthen their literacy and improve their access to healthcare. Indeed, some indigenous communities still suffer from diseases such as leprosy or yaws. Not represented in their country’s decision-making bodies, they still face significant challenges in fully enjoying their human and civic rights in the 21st century.a, a highly contagious tropical disease that chiefly affects children. Their challenge for the Third Millennium is hence the opportunity to fully enjoy human and civil rights.