Environmental Defenders (ED) welcomes the release of journalist Honneur-David Safari, who was found alive on December 31, 2025, three days after his abduction in Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. While relieved by his survival, Environmental Defenders strongly condemns his abduction, the violence reportedly inflicted on him, and the growing pattern of threats, kidnappings, and attacks against journalists in conflict affected and rebel controlled areas of the country.
According to information published by Reporters Without Borders and Congolese media, Honneur-David Safari, editor and founder of the online media outlet La Prunelle RDC, was abducted on the evening of December 28, 2025, while riding his motorcycle in Bukavu. Shortly before his disappearance, he sent a distress message to his wife, also a journalist, warning that he believed he was being followed. He was later found in poor condition in a vacant lot near Nyantende in Kabare Territory and was hospitalized. His lawyer confirmed that his body showed signs of torture.
Environmental Defenders underlines the essential role played by online media and digital journalism in the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in eastern regions affected by conflict and insecurity. Digital platforms such as La Prunelle RDC have become vital tools for digital democracy, enabling access to timely information, amplifying community voices, and countering misinformation. Through online reporting, journalists contribute to peace and security by documenting abuses, providing early warning on violence, and supporting informed public debate. They also play a critical role in advancing climate justice by exposing deforestation, illegal mining, land grabbing, and environmental harm linked to armed conflict and extractive activities.
La Prunelle RDC has been a key platform in this landscape, known for independent and investigative reporting on governance, human rights, security dynamics, and environmental issues in eastern DRC. Its work has helped inform national and international audiences about the realities faced by civilians in areas under the control of armed groups. The abduction of its editor and founder is therefore not only an attack on an individual journalist, but an attack on digital civic space and the public’s right to information. The protection of online media and their journalists must be guaranteed.
The Alliance Fleuve Congo and the 23 March Movement have controlled Bukavu since February 2025. Since then, the Alliance Fleuve Congo and the 23 March Movement have physically attacked, abducted, or intimidated several journalists. These abuses have created a climate of fear that is forcing journalists to self-censor, suspend reporting, or flee, further shrinking civic space and undermining digital democracy in the region.
Environmental Defenders condemns all acts of intimidation, abduction, and violence against journalists and calls on the M23 and the Alliance Fleuve Congo to immediately refrain from targeting media workers. Journalists must never be threatened, abducted, or harmed for carrying out their professional duties. The increase in attacks against journalists in North and South Kivu since early 2025 is deeply alarming and reflects a broader pattern of repression against those who document conflict, environmental destruction, and human rights abuses.
Reacting to the release, Ogurti Justin Upar, a member of the advocacy team at Environmental Defenders in the DRC, said the case highlights the urgent need for protection. “We are relieved that Honneur-David Safari is alive, but his abduction shows how dangerous it has become to practice journalism in eastern DRC,” he said. “Online journalists and independent media are playing a critical role in digital democracy, peace and security reporting, and climate justice. They are targeted precisely because their work reaches wide audiences and exposes abuses. Their protection must be guaranteed.”
Environmental Defenders recalls that the Democratic Republic of Congo adopted a law in 2023 to protect human rights defenders and activists, including journalists. The continued targeting of media workers demonstrates that this law remains largely unimplemented, particularly in conflict affected and rebel controlled areas. Legal protections must translate into concrete measures on the ground, including prevention, rapid response to threats, and accountability for perpetrators.
As part of its work on civic space and the protection of environmental human rights defenders across Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, and the wider Congo Basin and Albertine Rift, Environmental Defenders provides direct support to journalists and online media. This includes digital and physical security training, risk assessments, safety planning, emergency security and protection grants, temporary relocation, psychosocial support, and legal assistance for journalists, human rights defenders, and environmental activists at risk because of their work.
Environmental Defenders calls on all parties to the conflict to respect international human rights standards and to immediately end attacks against journalists and media workers. National authorities and international partners must strengthen protection mechanisms, support independent investigations, and ensure accountability for abuses against the press, regardless of who controls the territory.
Environmental Defenders stands in solidarity with Honneur-David Safari, the La Prunelle RDC team, and journalists across eastern DRC. Protecting journalists and online media is essential to safeguarding digital democracy, defending the environment, promoting peace and security, and ensuring that communities have access to truthful and independent information.