In Congo-Brazzaville, a legal showdown is set for May 23rd, 2024, as a representative of the Vindoulou neighborhood in Pointe-Noire faces court for allegedly defaming Metssa, a company engaged in recycling metals and automotive batteries. Residents have long accused the company of causing serious health issues through its operations.
Several human rights organizations in Congo-Brazzaville have criticized Metssa for using judicial processes to silence community representatives. Cyrille Ndembi, a resident of Vindoulou, has been vocal for years about the pollution generated by Metssa’s recycling activities. He is now summoned to court for disseminating information that the company claims has damaged its reputation.
Metssa Congo, a subsidiary of a Dubai-based group, began its operations on the outskirts of Pointe-Noire in 2013. The company processes used batteries and metals, converting them into ingots for export. Since 2019, residents have organized themselves into a collective to combat the environmental and health impacts of these activities.
Cyrille Traoré Ndembi, the president of the collective, describes an environment laden with dust that leaves a metallic taste in the mouth, and residents suffering from headaches, tinnitus, chronic coughs, and stomach problems. Last year, the collective engaged a laboratory to conduct tests, which revealed lead concentrations in the blood of residents that exceeded safe reference levels.
In April, the administrative court of Pointe-Noire provisionally ordered the suspension of Metssa Congo’s operations. However, on May 13, the company filed a direct citation against Cyrille Ndembi, accusing him of defamation.
The civil society organization, Centre d’Actions pour le Développement, condemned the legal action as an “attempt at intimidation” and an effort to “criminalize legitimate advocacy” for public health awareness regarding industrial pollution.
Cyrille Ndembi remains steadfast, asserting that the residents are willing to undergo further medical examinations to substantiate their claims. The outcome of this legal battle could set a significant precedent for environmental and public health advocacy in the region.