Wildlife crimes in Cameroon: Prosecution needs to be bolstered as poaching remains a menace despite measures
Wildlife crimes in Cameroon: Prosecution needs to be bolstered as poaching
remains a menace despite measures
Susan Chacko, Down to Earth
November 6, 2023
Cameroon ranked seventh out of 29 African nations in terms of being a
source or transit point for illegal wildlife trafficking (IWT) during the
decade spanning from 2009 to 2019, according to a new report.
This is despite the measures taken by the law enforcement to curb the
menace as increased involvement from the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife
(MINFOF), CITES authorities and various other stakeholders, according to
the report titled Analysis of Wildlife Court Cases in Cameroon: Jan
2010-Dec 2022.
The most frequently seized items included unprocessed elephant tusks,
crafted ivory articles, pangolin scales, African Grey Parrots, and a
variety of primate species that were traded for purposes other than
bushmeat, an analysis of confiscations through TRAFFIC's Wildlife Trade
Information System (WiTIS) during this timeframe uncovered.
Elephant-related products made up a significant 40 per cent of seized
commodities, ranging from raw tusks to crafted ivory, meat, tails and
bones. These elephant products were frequently bundled with other illicitly
traded items. Some wildlife criminals even engaged in cyber-enabled IWT.
The researchers scrutinised 675 wildlife crime cases that had been brought
before Cameroon's courts between January 2010 and December 2022. They found
several glaring loopholes that must be addressed to ensure the effective
prosecution and identification of culprits and broader criminal networks.
Issues such as insufficient cooperation, inadequate record-keeping, and
misinterpretations of the 1994 Wildlife Law that have collectively created
legal vulnerabilities, TRAFFIC underscored.
Wildlife offences primarily involved illegal possession, trafficking or
trading, with an additional six per cent being linked to arms-related
offences, according to the report.
Out of the 675 cases reviewed, 518 (77 per cent) led to prosecutions with
varying degrees of penalties imposed. Some suspects were meted out prison
terms, while others received suspended sentences.
Some were found guilty and were ordered to pay compensation to MINFOF for
damages, while others received prison sentences accompanied by damage
payments or suspended sentences alongside compensation. The duration of
prison sentences ranged from 20 days to three years for cases involving
wildlife.
The report also brought to light that a significant 24 per cent of cases
displayed substantial indications of influence peddling and corruption
within the legal process, encompassing issues such as non-arrests of
suspects, undisclosed cases, unnecessary delays, deliberate missteps, and
lenient court penalties.
Wildlife crimes in Cameroon have been perpetrated by individuals from
diverse backgrounds, social statuses, genders and nationalities. While over
90 per cent of the offenders are Cameroonian and predominantly male, others
have origins in Nigeria, China, Ghana, Mali, Egypt and Benin, as per the
report's findings.
The court cases were from eight of Cameroon’s 10 regions, with exceptions
being the northern and extreme northern regions; however, this doesn't
imply an absence of seizures in those areas.
The eastern and southern regions emerged as the primary hotspots for
wildlife crime, with Douala, Cameroon's largest city, being singled out as
a major hub and departure point for trafficking wildlife specimens.
Nestled on the northwestern fringes of the Congo Basin, Cameroon boasts a
rich tapestry of wild species. Regrettably, the nation is grappling with a
distressing decline in its wildlife due to habitat destruction, poaching
and the illicit wildlife trade, exemplified by the plight of rhinoceroses
in Cameroon.
The consequences of this wildlife decline extend far beyond ecological
concerns, adversely affecting the nation’s economy, social fabric and
broader conservation endeavours.
In July 2023, TRAFFIC's Central Africa Office and MINFOF took a united
stance against the illicit trade in wildlife species in Cameroon by
officially signing a Memorandum of Understanding.