Goldman Prize for Marc Ona Essangui

Marc Ona Essangui, one of our most inspiring partners from Africa, will receive the Goldman Environmental Prize in San Francisco today. The Prize recognizes Marc’s personal courage and perseverance, and gives a boost to our network.

Since 2001, Marc Ona and his colleagues at Brainforest have tirelessly fought for the protection of Gabon’s rainforest. They have successfully challenged corrupt government officials and foreign investors. In 2006 Marc and his colleagues managed to protect Gabon’s Loango National Park from an oil exploration project. They are now campaigning against the even larger Belinga iron ore and hydropower project, which threatens to destroy the majestic Kongou Falls in Ivindo National Park.

The current visit to San Francisco is only the latest example of the obstacles which Marc Ona has overcome on his journey. Marc was ready for take off at Gabon’s international airport last week when he was taken off the plane under orders from the Minister of Interior. It took interventions from high-ranking politicians in Gabon and the US to make it possible for him to accept today’s prize in person. When Marc returns to Gabon, he will still face charges for inciting rebellion against the state – charges for which he and four other activists were temporarily arrested at the end of last year.

Obstacles and challenges have never managed to stop Marc Ona. Using a wheelchair ever since he had polio as a child, Marc has founded and coordinated several NGOs and civil society networks since the 1990s. When Chinese investors got their concession for the huge Belinga iron ore project in 2006, he managed to get a copy of the confidential contract and could show that – most likely due to corruption – Gabon was getting a very bad deal.

In cooperation with International Rivers, Marc wrote to China Exim Bank, the financier of the multi-billion dollar project, and explained that the project would violate the bank’s environmental policy. Consequently, the Chinese financier requested that a credible environmental impact assessment be carried out before the project could go forward. The area impacted by the proposed dam was significantly reduced, and the road was rerouted to protect the rainforest. The whole project is currently on hold.

The Goldman Prize is a personal triumph for Marc Ona Essangui. It is also recognition of the successes that national and international civil society networks can achieve. Marc has shown that we can persevere against powerful interests. We are proud to be his partners.

Peter Bosshard is the policy director of International Rivers. His blog, Wet, Wild and Wonky, appears at www.internationalrivers.org/en/blog/peter-bosshard