Poaching-terrorism link that contributed to tribes’ persecution ‘largely wrong’
A new report has debunked the argument that the illegal wildlife
trade in East Africa significantly funds terrorism – an
exaggeration used to justify the militarization of anti-poaching squads
and the persecution of tribal subsistence hunters.
The report titled "An Illusion of Complicity: Terrorism and the Illegal Ivory Trade in East Africa"
was launched by former U.K. Foreign Secretary William Hague on Tuesday
and concluded that, in the case of terrorist group Al Shabaab, evidence
for its participation is “extremely limited and controversial”, adding
that any involvement is “dwarfed by organized criminal networks and
corrupt officials across East Africa …”
The findings expose the flaws in a narrative that has held sway in
conservation and political circles over several years and has led to the persecution of tribal hunters across Africa.
In U.S. journal Truthout,
Stephen Corry, Director of Survival International, the global movement
for tribal peoples’ rights, questioned the argument that ivory
significantly funds Al Shabaab – which was based on a single article
published by the Elephant Action League. The article was co-authored by
Nir Kalron, chief executive of the Tel Aviv-based Maisha Consulting,
which provides paramilitaries and weapons training to conservation
initiatives.
Kinessa Johnson is one of the former soldiers in VETPAW, an organization which sends veterans to Africa to 'defund' terrorism.
