LUSAKA AGREEMENT TASK FORCE FORGES PARTNERSHIP WITH SOUTH EAST ASIA

In line with its Strategic Plan 2005-2015, the Lusaka Agreement Task Force seeks strategic partners in order to enable it to effectively combat illegal trade in wild fauna and flora. In this regard, the LATF Intelligence Officer Mr. Karl Karugaba represented the Task Force at the ASEAN-WEN Regional Investigator Course (RITC) that took place from 1st to 5th November 2010 at the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) and Rama Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. The training was followed from 8th to 12th November 2010 by a series of meetings with Thai authorities (Royal Thai Police, Royal Thai Customs, National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department.

There were 29 representatives    from 11 countries including investigators from   Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and   the Lusaka Agreement Task Force. Resource person included officers from Thai Police, FREELAND Foundation, UNODC, UNEP, ICPO-INTERPOL and Chulalongkorn University.

The objective of the training was for sharing of information on illegal trade in big cats, pangolins and elephant ivory with a view to effectively curtail wildlife crime. The Task Force shared with participants its experience in wildlife law enforcement focusing on contraband ivory which in the recent past has been smuggled in large quantities to South East Asia. The training culminated in development of law enforcement Action plans for big cats, pangolins and elephant ivory.

Officers from Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and LATF held a series of meetings with Thai authorities focusing on co-operation between Africa and Thailand in investigation of cases of illegal trade in elephant ivory. The meetings came   against the background of    seizure of over 5,000 kg   of elephant ivory originating from East Africa between 2008 and 2010.  The Thai authorities pledged to enhance cooperation with LATF and Lusaka Agreement Parties in the investigation of wildlife cases.

The Task Force and representatives of ASEAN-WEN expressed interest for development of a Memorandum   Understanding between the two organizations after due consultations The Lusaka Agreement Task Force acknowledges the support of the Royal Thai Police, Royal Thai Customs, Department of National Parks wildlife and Plant Conservation, ASEAN-WEN-PCU and the FREELAND Foundation for the support in organizing  the two events and in particular for  facilitating  the visit of  LATF and Kenya officials.

Part of ivory from Uganda seized at Suvarnabhumi Airport January 2009, Courtesy Royal Thai Customs

Ivory from Kenya seized at Suvarnabhumi airport April 2010, Courtsey Royal Thai Customs