Three SADC states go to battle against CITES
Friday, November 08, 2019
Botswana's elephants have been making news worldwide PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES
The three countries are declaring themselves independent of the controls exercised by the Geneva-based UN Convention on International Trade In Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
They are joined in their protest by another five unnamed Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries whose proposals to trade in live wildlife and wildlife products were also rejected at the tri-annual CITES meeting in August.
“I believe that free but fair trade isan absolute imperative”– John E. JamesFor two countries bound by geography, history and deep economic ties, periods of diplomatic strain serve neither side well. President Duma Boko’s efforts to restore momentum to relations with Pretoria deserve recognition, particularly at a time when Southern Africa faces shared challenges ranging from sluggish economic growth and unemployment to energy security...