Two stand trial in Djoum for trafficking hundreds of ivory tusks

Ivory found in a Army Colonel’s car

The Djoum court of first instance shall hear the matter against two arrested in December last year for trafficking in 216 ivory tusks that were found inside a gendarmerie colonel’s car.  The colonel has been summoned to appear in court.

It shall be the fourth hearing of the case that has held some observers spellbound following the involvement of a top military official whose car was found transporting the ivory. A total of 216 ivory tusks and 81 elephant tails were recovered by wildlife officials from the car. Two were arrested and charged with illegal possession and commercialization of parts of protected wildlife species.

            The process has not been straight forward with some decisions and actions taken contrary to the normal legal procedures in wildlife matters. The court, during the last hearing, ordered that the ivory be brought back to the Djoum court for proceedings to continue. Following the seizure of the ivory, it was taken to the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife in Yaounde whereas the court process was just about to begin.  Wildlife law enforcement support body LAGA is providing technical assistance to officials handling the case.

            The two arrested are still in custody. If they are found guilty, their punishment is described by the law enacted by parliament in 1994. The law stipulates that anyone found in possession of a part of a protected wildlife species is considered to have killed the animal and is therefore liable to a prison sentence of maximum 3 years and or a fine of maximum 10 million CFA F but the law further states that if the arrested person is a law enforcement official then the punishment is doubled.

            The punishment is aimed at hampering the slaughtering of the country’s wildlife species which is ongoing at an alarming rate. Some statistics say the country has lost close to 70% of its elephant population over the last 10 years and this is attributed mostly to poaching to supply the illegal ivory trade. This situation is the same for all of Central African and especially Gabon where it is believed some of the 216 ivory tusks originated. The need to effectively apply wildlife laws irrespective of the echelons of persons involved is hugely felt in the region.