Mr. Appolinaire Zagabe (full name: Appolinaire Zagabe Kamanyula) is a Congolese expert and activist from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).He is known for his work in several key areas:
Climate justice and environmental governance — He serves as the founder and director of the DRC Climate Change Network (RCCRDC / Réseau sur le Changement Climatique RDC), where he advocates for peace, climate justice, and a new climate economy in the DRC. He has been involved in climate negotiations, diplomacy, and promoting renewable energy use in Congo.
Peace, conflict resolution, and human rights — As a survivor of the conflicts in eastern DRC, he is a researcher and author on peacebuilding, international law, and conflict in the region. He founded PEPA/NGO (Pleadors of Children and Elderly People at Risk / Plaideurs des Enfants et des Personnes Âgées), a non-profit organization focused on protecting vulnerable groups, especially children and the elderly affected by war. PEPA operates in the DRC and Uganda and holds special consultative status with the UN ECOSOC.
Professional background — He holds a Master's degree in Laws and a Bachelor's in International Relations. He has experience in business management, international development, and diplomacy. He is a permanent resident in Germany and has been based in places like Mering, Bavaria.
He has authored books, including works on the role of international law in promoting peace and justice, as well as declarations by international organizations and NGOs in conflict resolution in the DRC.He is active on social media (e.g., X/Twitter as
@Azagabe
), where he comments on Congolese politics, criticizes foreign occupation in eastern DRC (e.g., by M23 and Rwanda-backed groups), and calls for peace while opposing certain national dialogues amid ongoing conflict. In 2024, some Congolese voices and organizations advocated for his appointment as a Deputy Minister for Climate Economy in the DRC government, highlighting his expertise in environmental and climate
issues.In summary, he is a prominent Congolese technocrat, NGO leader, author, and advocate combining work on climate change, peacebuilding, and human rights in the DRC context.