Global Witness - Breaking the links between natural resources, conflict and corruption
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The Project of Independent Observation in Support of Forest Law Enforcement in Cameroon was implemented by Global Witness between 2000 and 2005, under a series of Contracts and Terms of Reference. These pages provide a historical record of our 123 Field Mission Reports and three Summary Reports. The structure of the next phase of the project, from 2005, presented a number of threats to the independence of the Observer, and therefore Global Witness decided not to submit an offer for this phase, tendered by the EU.
The project started when the UK Department for International Development (DFID) invited Global Witness to carry out two scoping missions in July and October of 2000, with the objective of identifying the nature and scope of illegality in the Cameroonian forestry sector, as well as assessing the need for full-time IFM in the country.
Both scoping missions confirmed widespread illegal activities carried out by various leading forest companies in Cameroon, as well as high levels of corruption within the forestry administration. Furthermore, the missions proved that efficient field work and professionalism in monitoring resulted in objective information on forest crimes that could make cases for prosecution, hence sending a strong deterrent to illegal operators, hitherto fearless of receiving any punishment. Subsequently, Global Witness was appointed the Independent Observer in support of Forest Law Enforcement in May 2001 for a transition period of six months, with financial support from the World Bank, DFID and the EU. It was later reappointed for a further six months in February 2002. During this time, the Ministry of the Environment and Forestry (MINEF) and the donors agreed on the principle that the Independent Observer should be appointed through a competitive process, and in May 2002, Global Witness and MINEF signed a two-month renewable contract until an international bidding process was launched. Global Witness operated on this basis until the end of March 2005.
At the end of this phase in the project, Global Witness and others undertook a period of critical reflection, the results of which our outlined in our achievements, lessons and recommendations.
Latest Publications
March 2010
New evidence confirms oil revenue transparency still eludes Sudan
Large discrepancies persist between the oil production data published by the government of Sudan and those published by the main Chinese oil company operating in the country, Global Witness said today, six months after the publication of its report which first exposed the gaps.
Environmental groups call on French shipping company Delmas to cancel shipment of precious wood from Madagascar
Global Witness and the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) today called on French shipping company Delmas to cancel a shipment to China of hundreds of tons of rosewood from the port of Vohémar, in northeastern Madagascar. The campaign groups accuse the company of facilitating the destruction of Madagascar’s last remaining forests caused by vast illegal logging of rosewood.
Open letter to Delmas shipping company raises concerns over rosewood shipments from Madagascar
An open letter from Global Witness and the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) to Delmas shipping company expressing grave concerns at its involvement in the transport of timber from Madagascar which has been declared illicit by the Malagasy authorities. The groups accuse Delmas of facilitaitng the destruction Madagascar's remaining rosewood forests through illegal logging.
Link between Angolan president's son-in-law and state oil company raises questions about transparency
The son-in-law of the Angolan president has been nominated to the board of a holding company that owns a third of the Portuguese oil firm Galp Energia, which has investments in Angola. The nomination was made by the State oil company, Sonangol, which is responsible for managing Angola's oil on behalf of its citizens. This arrangement raises concerns about conflicts of interest to which Sonangol has not responded.
DR Congo: ex-rebels take over mineral trade extortion racket
Former rebels from the Congrès national pour la défense du peuple (CNDP) have established mafia-style extortion rackets covering some of the most lucrative tin and tantalum mining areas in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Global Witness reported today following four weeks of research in the region.
Global Witness concerned at choice of new Ukraine energy minister
Global Witness is concerned that Yuri Boyko, a controversial figure from the murky past of Ukraine’s gas industry, has been put back in effective charge of a key gas supply route from Russia to the European Union.
Landmark oil and mining transparency initiative faces credibility test as key deadline passes
The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), a pioneering initiative to bring more openness to the world's oil and mining industries, faces a major credibility test after 20 out of 22 countries failed to meet a key deadline today.
Global Witness urges Cambodia’s donors to condemn sponsorship of military units by private businesses
Aid donors to Cambodia, including the US, EU, Japan, China and the World Bank, should send a strong message to the government that they will not countenance the bankrolling of Cambodia’s military by private businesses. This call follows the announcement last week by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen of the formation of 42 official partnerships between private businesses and Cambodian military units.
February 2010
A near miss? Lessons learnt from the allocation of mining licences in the Gola Forest Reserve in Sierra Leone
Between 2005 and 2007, two mining licences were issued in the Gola Forest Reserve in Sierra Leone, even though the area was a proposed national park. This new report identifies weaknesses in Sierra Leone's natural resource governance and attempts to draw lessons for the future.
Parliamentary committee report on libel, privacy and press freedom not strong enough to defend public interest reporting
A report on press standards, privacy and libel makes broadly sensible recommendations but does not go far enough to allay fears that England's laws are a barrier to public-interest campaigning.
Campaigners criticise proposals to define palm oil plantations as forests
The Ecosystems Climate Alliance today criticised the EU and Indonesia for attempting to reclassify palm oil plantations as forests, saying this would be a step backwards in efforts to halt climate change though preventing deforestation.
