Activists are warning that oil drilling in the Republic of the Congo's peatlands would devastate the global environment if allowed.

Oil companies last year discovered vast oil reserves beneath these peatland forests which contain one of the world's largest carbon sinks.

The government, however, has assured it will protect the peatlands despite allowing companies to conduct oil exploration there.

Al Jazeera's Malcolm Webb reports from the Republic of the Congo's capital, Brazzaville.