African Strategy on Combating Illegal Exploitation and Illegal Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora in Africa

The illegal trade in wild fauna and flora involves the harvesting, procurement, transport, and distribution both domestically and internationally, of animals and plants, as well as their parts and derivatives, in violation of laws and treaties. It ranges in scale from single items being traded locally to commercial containers shipped worldwide to international markets.
In many African countries, the livelihoods and socio-economic development of communities in both rural and urban areas depends heavily on the use of wild fauna and flora resources, thus the loss of African wildlife directly or indirectly affects the livelihoods of African people. Additionally, the illegal trade in Africa’s natural resources deprives African States of revenues, hindering economic growth.
The African Union, concerned by the unsustainable use of African wild fauna and flora, and increase of illegal trade in wild flora and fauna in recent years – undermining sustainable development, peace, security, rule of law and good governance – adopted in June 2014, the Executive Council Decision EX.CL/Dec.832 (XXV) during its 23rd Ordinary Session held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
The Decision, specifically targets the illicit trade in African wild fauna and flora and calls upon the Commission in collaboration with the relevant partners to develop an African Strategy on Combating Illegal Exploitation and Illegal Trade in Wild Flora and Fauna.