The mission began with a working session with the Block Leaders responsible for the preparation of the Ndjamena Conference Follow-up Meeting, namely, AWF, GIZ (BSB Project), UNESCO, and WWF.  After briefing the Facilitator on the status of preparations for the Douala meetings, including the development of the basic structure of the Programmatic Logical Framework for the Implementation of the N'Djamena Declaration, the leaders identified field experiences related to transhumance, armed groups, protected areas and wildlife.

The CBFP Facilitator examined with the leaders the issue of the large and growing number of livestock, as well as the of conflicts between the "transhumants" and sedentary populations and the urgency of high-level political action to address this situation.

Subsequently, the CBFP Facilitator was received in audience by His Excellency Joseph Beti Assomo, Minister of Defence and the Secretary of State to the Minister of Defence in charge of the Cameroon National Gendarmerie, His Excellency ETOGA Galax Yves Landry.  The Minister of Defence expressed his gratitude to the CBFP Facilitator, who visits him on every mission to Cameroon. He noted the importance of the N'Djamena Declaration, the efforts of his Ministry to combat poaching, in particular the implementation of the MoU between MINFOF and MINDEF.

The CBFP Facilitator thanked the Minister for Cameroon's participation in the International Conference of Ministers in N'Djamena. He identified three topics of high importance from the Partnership's point of view, including: Transhumance, the urgency of investing in local and indigenous populations and the importance of dialogue with China in the quest for the sustainable management of forest resources.  More specifically with regard to transhumance, the Facilitator noted the increasingly worrying situation on the ground regarding the conflict between transhumants and sedentary farming and pastoralist populations, with an emphasis on the urgency for high-level political action to address the situation.

In addition, the Minister of Defence, His Excellency Joseph Beti Assomo, noted a problem of great importance relating to the increasingly difficult situation of navigation in Cameroon's waters, particularly the Benue, the Nyong, the Sanaga and the Wouri rivers due to invasive species... These are water hyacinth and other invasive grasses (other aquatic plants) that reduce the liquid surface area once exploited by local populations and also the greatly reduced navigation on their aquatic path in addition to siltation, danger to aquatic fauna, etc. …

The Minister sought the support of CBFP partners to address this situation.  After explaining to the Minister the purpose of his mission, MINDEF addressed the issue of transhumance and the increasing number of livestock and underlying conflicts.  Noting the conflicting issue between conservation and development, the Secretary of State to the Minister of Defence in charge of the National Gendarmerie of Cameroon, His Excellency Mr. ETOGA Galax Yves Landry, called for more alternatives in favour of indigenous peoples.

Before closing the audience, the MINDEF thanked the Facilitator for his personal commitment to the Congo Basin and the invitation to the meetings in Douala. He wished good preparation and success at the CBFP meetings in Douala.

In the afternoon, the Minister of State, François-Xavier de Donnea, Belgian Facilitator of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP), was received by the Minister of Forestry and Wildlife of Cameroon, H.E. Mr Jules Ndoret Ndongo  The Minister thanked the CBFP Facilitator for his personal commitment to Cameroon’s signing of the specific protocols, an initiative undertaken since their last meeting in Malabo alongside the high-level political dialogue.

 Taking up the three key topics in terms of perspectives for the CBFP and with reference to its field visit to the Shinko Natural Reserve in the Central African Republic and the Garamba in the Democratic Republic of Congo, stressed the importance of political engagement to address the increasingly tense situation between transhumants and sedentary populations.  In addition, the Facilitator addressed strategic issues related to the organization of CBFP meetings in Douala. The Minister stressed that his administration will provide the necessary support for the full success of the CBFP meetings in Douala. In addition, the Facilitator congratulated the Minister of Forests on his assumption of the current COMIFAC chair and noted the support of the CBFP Facilitation in the implementation of its roadmap...

At the end of the day, the Facilitator shared a working dinner hosted by the Belgian Embassy to CBFP's Technical Partners. In attendance were GIZ, UICN, ZSL, WWF, TRAFFIC, CEFDHAC, UNESCO, etc.

In Yaoundé, 20 November 2019, the Facilitator was received in audience by COMIFAC Executive Secretary, Mr. Ndomba Ngoye Raymond, and then by Mrs. Galega Prudence, Secretary General on behalf of His Excellency Mr. Hélé Pierre (outside Yaoundé), Minister of Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development of Cameroon.

A working lunch organized by the Belgian Embassy was attended by the Heads of Diplomatic Missions of the former CBFP Facilitators countries plus England, namely the Ambassadors and Heads of Diplomatic Missions of:  Germany, Belgium, France, UK, USA.

These include, among others:

CBFP Governance

 Continue to strengthen CBFP governance, including the holding of the meeting of CBFP Parties, meetings of the CBFP Governing Board, CBFP colleges.

The biannual holding of CBFP Meeting of the Parties, instead of annual, during the Facilitation Mandate.  From the Facilitation perspective, this wise decision led to a better use of the resources of the Second Meeting of the Parties to strengthen thematic work within the CBFP.

 Thematic Work 

1. Continue work on the theme of transhumance and the circulation of armed groups between the Sahel and north the Congo Basin: The transboundary approach for the conservation, security and development negus. A summit of Heads of State is needed

 If nothing is done to control transhumance, particularly the reduction in herd size (an alarming situation in terms of the number of herds), a major crisis could break out: in particular the destruction of herds and an armed struggle between the populations and the transhumants.  This situation could open a second major source of conflict added to the situation in the Sahel. A major action at the highest level of states is essential to address the crisis.

 For the follow-up of the implementation of the N'Djamena Declaration, in particular in accompanying the implementation of the Transhumance Programme, the armed groups of the Sahel towards natural protected areas, a major programme will be adopted at the Douala Experts' Meeting and a commitment to resource mobilization and the implementation of the said programme.

References:  (1) N'Djamena Conference, January 2019 and (2) Post N'Djamena Experts Meeting, December 2019 in Douala

2. Investing in local/indigenous people in and around natural protected areas

 Continue to encourage donors to invest in local and indigenous communities: value chain, job creation and multisectoral investment. Projects that have a real impact on communities. Create alternatives and not focus exclusively on family planning policies that are sometimes ineffective.

 Reference: High Level Political Dialogue in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea (June 2019) 

1. Continue Dialogue with China to encourage Chinese actors to join the CBFP

China imports nearly 70% of the wood from the Congo Basin.  More work should be done to encourage its membership in the CBFP.   At the Shanghai International Forum, it focused on "Together towards Global Green Supply Chains - A Forest Products Industry Initiative". The Forum Intends to promote the advancement of legal and sustainable supply chains which will incentivize good production practices, contribute to responsible purchasing practices while also leading to additional benefits of poverty alleviation, job creation, economic growth, income generation, etc. The Forum which was organized by ITTA and the Global Green Supply Chain (Chine) pointed out that Chinese operators are more and more aware of the importance of sustainability of the Congo Basin forests to maintain importations in the future.  The same is true of the China-Africa Political Dialogue held in September in Yaoundé between Chinese forest administrations and foresters in the Congo Basin.

References: (1) Silk Road Forum (April 2019, Beijing, China) - (2) China-Central Africa Dialogue (Yaoundé 2019) - (3) Shanghai Forum on Together towards Global Green Supply Chains - A Forest Products Industry Initiative"