The Ethiopian government has destroyed 6.1 tons of elephant tusks and ivory products that were smuggled from countries including South Sudan.
The pile of elephant ivory is worth an estimated $12 million was destroyed after Ethiopia vowed a ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards poachers.
The Ethiopian Wild Life Conservation Authority Director General, Dawd Mume said some of the ivories were seized at Addis Ababa International Airport.
“Some came through the border, most of them at the airport because Bole International Airport, South Africa’s Johannesburg and Jomo Kenyatta in Kenya are considered as the hotspots for transit of ivory by CITES [Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora] before two years,” Mr Mume stated.
South Sudan is Ethiopia’s key partner in the protection of wildlife in the region.
“We have a common Boma-Gambella Trans-boundary National Park which we implement under the Horn of Africa Regional Environmental Center Network which has a budget of six million Euros,” he added.
“So, South Sudan is not only the border but also the partner and stakeholder of law enforcement for Ethiopia.”
Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Demeke Mekonnen said the destruction of the ivory is to show Ethiopia’s commitment to law enforcement.