Lusaka Agreement on Co-Operative Enforcement Operations

The Lusaka Agreement on Co-operative Enforcement Operations was signed in 1996 by seven African countries, namely Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The agreement was aimed at improving co-operation between the countries in combatting illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products.

The Lusaka Agreement is a binding treaty that establishes a framework for regional co-operation in the fight against illegal trade in wildlife. Under the agreement, the countries agreed to share intelligence and information on wildlife trafficking and to work together to monitor and control their borders. They also committed to improving law enforcement and judicial cooperation and to providing training and capacity building for their wildlife conservation agencies.

One of the most significant provisions of the Lusaka Agreement is the requirement for the countries to establish national focal points for the exchange of information on wildlife trafficking. These focal points are responsible for collecting and sharing intelligence on illegal trade in wildlife, as well as for coordinating investigations and prosecutions of wildlife crimes.

Another important aspect of the Lusaka Agreement is the establishment of a Regional Co-ordination Unit (RCU) to support the implementation of the treaty. The RCU is based in Nairobi, Kenya, and is responsible for providing technical and administrative support to the national focal points and for facilitating regional cooperation in the fight against wildlife trafficking.

Since its inception, the Lusaka Agreement has had a significant impact on wildlife conservation and law enforcement in the region. The agreement has helped to improve cooperation between the countries in the fight against wildlife crime and has led to a number of successful prosecutions of wildlife traffickers. The agreement has also helped to raise awareness of the importance of wildlife conservation and the need to combat illegal trade in wildlife.

In conclusion, the Lusaka Agreement on Co-operative Enforcement Operations is an important treaty that demonstrates the commitment of African countries to combat illegal trade in wildlife. The agreement has been effective in improving regional co-operation and in raising awareness of the importance of wildlife conservation. It is a model for other regions to follow in the fight against wildlife crime.