by COSMAS BUTUNY
Lobbying on the status of international trade in ivory has intensified ahead of next month’s 15th Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in Doha, Qatar.
African elephants are classified in CITES Appendix I, in which trade is prohibited. Tanzania and Zambia have been lobbying for the elephant to be down-listed from Appendix I to Appendix II, which covers endangered species but in which limited international trade is allowed.
The two countries have been arguing their case about the need to sell off 113 tonnes of their stockpiled ivory to China and Japan. Kenya, however, is vehemently opposed to the limited lifting of the ban on ivory trade, fearful that the move could spur an upsurge in poaching on the continent.
With barely a month to go, both sides have gradually escalated their advances. Kenya has been on the forefront in campaigning for international support ahead of the Doha convention. Tanzania and Zambia have gained the support of the South African Development Cooperation (SADC) countries.
Each side requires the support of at least 66 per cent of the 176 countries that have a vote in the CITES meetings.
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