BasUele

Bas-Uélé is a province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, located in the northeastern part of the country. It was created in 2015 during the administrative reorganization that split the former Orientale Province into several new provinces. Its capital is Buta. The name Bas-Uélé refers to the Bas-Uélé region along the Uele River, a major tributary of the Ubangi River.

Geography and demography: Bas-Uélé lies in the Congo Basin, characterized by tropical rainforest and river systems. The Ubangi and Uele rivers form important waterways, and the province includes forested and savanna areas. The province borders the Central African Republic to the north and is bordered by Haut-Uélé to the east and Ituri to the south, with other DRC provinces to the west. The province is home to diverse communities, including Bantu-speaking ethnic groups such as the Azande, Ngbaka, and related groups. French is the official language; local languages are used in daily life and trade.

Economy and administration: The economy is largely rural and resource-based, with agriculture (cassava, maize, plantains, peanuts) and fishing as main activities. Artisanal mining and timber extraction occur, and river transport on the Uele and Ubangi supports trade. Bas-Uélé is divided into territories and chiefdoms; governance follows the national framework of provinces and territories. The region has faced infrastructure challenges and periods of instability, but development initiatives aim to improve health, education and access.