Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia leaders demand right to resume ivory sales

The leaders of Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia have agreed to pursue an ‘integrated response’ to global outcry over the anticipated reintroduction of elephant hunting. The leaders, Edgar Lungu, Mokgweetsi Masisi, Emmerson Mnangagwa and Hage Geingob were attending the 2019 Elephant Summit in North-eastern Botswana’s Kasane that ended on Tuesday.

Five Southern African countries, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia, which are home to most of the planet’s elephants, demanded the right to sell ivory. The countries raised the argument that people who live alongside the animals should be allowed to benefit from them.

The leaders came at one podium (Elephant Summit in Kasane, Botswana) to forge a common policy toward elephant management, saying that conflict between elephants and rural farmers is escalating. Ivory sales currently require approval from the international community through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora, Bloomberg noted.

The leaders further gave the argument that elephant poaching in the regions has increased since the banning of ivory trading and maintaining stockpiles. “Let us resolutely affirm our position on elephant management and speak with one voice for our communities, Zimbabwe’s President, Emmerson Mnangagwa opined.

Stools made from elephant feet have been presented to three African leaders by their host in Botswana during a meeting on the future of the mammals. President of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi handed over the gifts, covered in a blue patterned cloth, to his counterparts from Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

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