CITES' dark underbelly surfaces in Geneva

Kitso Mokaila. PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
Kitso Mokaila. PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

A dark picture of greed, corruption and betrayal is emerging behind the scenes, amidst the high tension at the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meeting underway in Geneva, Switzerland.

By press time yesterday, Botswana and neighbours, Zambia, Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa were staring defeat in the face, in their proposal for future sales of their substantial ivory stocks.

Another proposal, for Zambia’s elephants to join those from Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa on Appendix II where trade is theoretically possible, was also looking impossible.

Editor's Comment
We should care more for our infrastructure, road safety

These roads, which are vital conduits for trade and tourism, have long been in dire need of repair. However, while this development is undoubtedly a positive step, it also raises questions about broader issues of infrastructural management and road safety that deserve closer scrutiny.The A3 and A33 roads are not just any roads, they are critical arteries that connect Botswana to its neighbours and facilitate the movement of goods and people...

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