African nations clash over sales of ivory

Khartoum officials either would not comment or could not be reached, despite repeated attempts.

Last week, CITES delegates gave final approval to a 2002 decision for the sale of 60 tons of African ivory to Japan – an agreement condemned by many conservationists. That sale will consist of 30 tons stockpiled by South Africa, 20 tons from Botswana and 10 tons from Namibia.

Southern African states want CITES to permit another, similar, one-time sale of 50 tons of ivory or a limited supply of controlled products sold to Asia.

The move is opposed by more than a dozen African states led by Kenya. They want CITES to agree to keep the current sanctions for 12 years, arguing that the continuing debate on lifting restrictions stimulates demand.

Holly Dublin, of the World Conservation Union, told the Associated Press that the southern African elephant population was growing by 4 percent annually. More than 50,000 animals were added to the herds in the last five years, and they now number around 300,000.

Botswana says the herds are becoming unmanageable, and animals are clashing more often with humans.

A head count in other parts of Africa is more difficult, Ms. Dublin said. West Africa, where early European trophy hunters killed elephants in massive numbers, has a confirmed population of fewer than 7,500.

In Central Africa "there is known to be heavy poaching and substantial illegal trade," Dublin said. Confirmed numbers have declined from 16,450 five years ago to 10,400 last year.

Meanwhile, the activity back at the famous markets of Omdurman – across the Nile from the modern capital, Khartoum – suggests regulations are failing to halt the illicit trade.

The historic city's dark nooks and crannies draw thousands of ex-patriate aid officials, diplomats, and oil workers looking for a souvenir. Crocodile skins hang from doorways and lion claws are sold as lucky charms. But it is ivory that attracts many of the shoppers.

Much of the raw ivory has been carved into chopsticks and name seals, which venders say are popular with Chinese shoppers. Their numbers have increased in recent years as a result of Sudan's isolation from the West and its "look East" policy.

About two-thirds of Sudan's oil exports are sold to China.

"The government came around to tell us to stop selling the ivory," says Mohammed El Ttiap, proprietor of the Folklore Sudan shop, crammed full of dusty silver trinkets, carpets, and ivory.

"They said they would come back to buy up the unsold items, but they never did so we just kept selling it."

Now, he says, most of the raw ivory is coming from southern Sudan. "The war there has ended and the elephants are returning so there is plenty of ivory."

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