PRESIDENT STARS IN OUR NEW ‘SAY NO TO IVORY FILM’
Malawi today sent out another message showing the strong resolve to combat illegal wildlife trade today, with the launch of a short film in support of the nation’s campaign to ‘Stop Wildlife Crime’. In the film, President H.E. Prof Arthur Peter Mutharika leads fifteen foreign Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Honorary Consuls to tell citizens, residents […]
Malawi today sent out another message showing the strong resolve to combat illegal wildlife trade today, with the launch of a short film in support of the nation’s campaign to ‘Stop Wildlife Crime’.
In the film, President H.E. Prof Arthur Peter Mutharika leads fifteen foreign Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Honorary Consuls to tell citizens, residents and visitors to Malawi that ivory trafficking in any form will not be tolerated.
There are two versions available – one in English and one in which a sentence in the mother tongue of each country featured is spoken. Missions backing the initiative are Brazil, China, Egypt, Germany, Great Britain, India, Ireland, Japan, Korea, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, the United States of America and Zambia. Belgium, Mozambique, and Italy have also pledged their support. Here is the English version of the film:
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The film will be shown on national TV and on screens at the international airports and will be distributed online through social media channels.
In his speech at today’s launch held at State House, President Mutharika said, “Malawi is known as the Warm Heart of Africa and a peaceful nation, and it is not acceptable for criminals such as those involved in illegal wildlife trade to operate within our borders. Our natural resources will not be plundered for the profit of the few.”
He continued, “I call on all citizens to say no to illegal ivory trade and report any suspicious activity.”
Organised crime syndicates are known to operate across Africa, smuggling large amounts of illegal ivory to meet the demand of lucrative foreign markets. The trade is fuelling the poaching of elephants which, at current rates, could lead to their extinction. This will not only impact economic development through lost tourism revenues but also biodiversity and ecosystem stability which in turn will affect factors like agriculture and human health.
Malawi has been targeted as a transit route by criminal gangs moving large amounts of illegal ivory consolidated from neighbouring countries like Mozambique and Tanzania. There have also been over 90 cases of individuals found with small amounts of worked ivory like chop sticks, statues and jewellery since 2010. The estimated interception rate is just 10% so the true figures will be significantly higher.
The magnitude of the situation became clear in May 2015 when the government published their Illegal Wildlife Trade Review. Since then both the authorities and supporting NGO’s have been working to implement the report’s recommendations. Just last month, $500,000 of British funding was provided for a specialised Wildlife Crime Investigations Unit. The National Parks and Wildlife Act Amendment Bill draft was also submitted and is expected to be passed at the next Parliament sitting in June, which will mean stiffer sentences for wildlife criminals.
Jonathan Vaughan, Director of Lilongwe Wildlife Trust, the NGO that works with the Malawi government on the Stop Wildlife Crime campaign in partnership with the Government of Malawi, said, “Ivory trafficking here has involved both Malawians and foreign nationals, hence the decision to involve all the diplomatic missions in the campaign. This film primarily targets those who may not realise the impact of the illegal ivory trade or that it is viewed as a serious crime in Malawi. The message itself will have little impact on those criminals who are aware and simply do not care, but hearing it from the very top should serve as a stark warning that times are changing.”