The implementation of major infrastructure projects in Cameroon leads to deforestation and the release of timber removals deemed incompatible by its European partner. This reality has been one of the points of contention in the dying Partnership Agreement.
Cameroon thus shares the same concern as the world's major forested countries: developing while promoting sustainable forest management. CIFOR (Center for International Forestry Research) predicts that the implementation of various projects planned within the framework of Cameroon's emergence will cause land conversion (loss of forest cover) of around 2.2 million hectares, with 1.2 million hectares for second-generation agriculture alone and 800,000 hectares for other infrastructure (roads, dams, bridges, mining operations, etc.).
In reality, this involves the construction of hydroelectric dams at Lom Pangar, Mekin, Memve’le, and Nachtigal, as well as the implementation of large road and mining projects (Mbalam iron exploitation), the construction of railway lines, and large-scale agricultural projects.
The European Commission Council’s proposed decision on October 2, 2024, regarding the denunciation of the partnership agreement between the EU and the Republic of Cameroon on the enforcement of forest regulations, governance, and timber and derivative products trade to the EU, reflects this misunderstanding about sustainable forest ecosystem management and the implementation of aspects of the Green Deal.
Aside from the older agro-industrial plantations like CDC, PALMOL, HEVECAM, etc., all recent attempts to create agro-industries in Cameroon (palm oil, banana, cocoa, rubber) have faced strong opposition from development partners and both national and transnational NGOs (Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth). Ultimately, under the banner of zero deforestation, a very repressive hidden trade policy is being carried out.
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