Push to dispose ivory stockpiles new threat in wildlife conservation

The recently concluded AU-UN Africa Wildlife Economy Summit in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, was a miss on many fronts.From domination by Southern Africa states-Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia, the event turned out to be a mere talk shop. Most outstanding, however, is the fact that the four nations used the opportunity to drive their agenda, which is sale of ivory stockpiles.

Southern Africa is home to nearly half of Africa’s elephants and this makes it a major stakeholder in wildlife conservation. But this does not diminish the role of Kenya and other East African countries. From the outset, President Emerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe was clear on why he wants his country to be allowed to sell its stockpiles worth Sh60 billion. His argument was that Zimbabwe wants to put the money into conservation.