Massive deforestation and forest degradation in Cameroon are reaching alarming proportions, threatening biodiversity, the rights of local communities and international commitments to protect the environment. In an open letter addressed to the foreign ministries of several countries and to the European Commission, environmental organisations and human rights defenders expressed their deep concern and called for immediate action.
Signed by prominent figures such as Samuel Nguiffo of the Centre for Environment and Development (CED) and Stella Tchoukep of Greenpeace Africa, the letter denounces the large-scale deforestation for agro-industrial plantations and illegal logging that is rife in Cameroon. It highlights the violation of the human rights of local communities and indigenous peoples as a result of poor governance at both national and international level.
The figures presented in the letter are alarming. In the key Campo Ma’an area, around 60,000 hectares of forest are under threat, notably from industrial palm oil plantations. The Ébo forest, home to exceptional biodiversity, is also under threat from illegal logging, despite national and international protests. The consequences are devastating not only for the environment, but also for the local communities who depend on these forests for their livelihoods and culture.
A call for international action
Faced with this crisis, the signatories of the letter urge governments and international institutions to take urgent action. They call for international commitments to combat deforestation and protect human rights to be respected, and for finance and trade not to contribute to illegal operations.
The article also highlights the economic implications of deforestation for Cameroon, warning of the potential impact on trade with the EU and other markets. The deterioration of the country’s image in terms of environmental protection could compromise efforts to support smallholders and improve the traceability and quality of agricultural production, particularly cocoa, one of Cameroon’s major exports.
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The open letter highlights the urgent need for concerted action to halt deforestation and human rights abuses in Cameroon. It calls for international solidarity and an immediate response from the governments and institutions concerned. The future of Cameroon’s forests and its local communities depends on political will and collective action to preserve these precious ecosystems.
Boris Ngounou
