Central African Republic: Forest Governance at Risk

Jul 15, 2014 | EU Forest Watch
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The EU and others donors are slowly re-engaging in the Central African Republic (CAR) to support reconstruction and stabilisation efforts. In May, the European Union Force (EUFOR) deployed around 1,000 personnel to the country to provide temporary support in achieving a safe and secure environment in the Bangui area. The EU has pledged more than €100 million in 2014 alone for humanitarian and development needs. EU efforts at this critical time should prioritise stronger governance of the forest sector, in addition to promoting security, as this could help break the cycle of armed conflict and bring much-needed public revenues to the resource-rich country. See FW 189.

Bad governance – including illegal exploitation, untaxed exports across porous borders and corruption in the natural resource sector – have been the key drivers of CAR’s ongoing political and humanitarian crisis, depriving the state of revenues to build its economy and provide basic services to citizens. Before the crisis, the CAR government struggled to halt illegal practices and widespread corruption in the forest sector. Things worsened during the conflict and, despite the political transition, progress is elusive.