Renson Ingonga, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), hosted a delegation from TRAFFIC International, an organization at the forefront of addressing the illegal wildlife trade, as part of his continuous commitment to promoting interagency collaboration.
TRAFFIC over the years aims at minimizing the unlawful and unsustainable trade of wild species while increasing the social, economic, and environmental advantages that people gain from legal and sustainable trade.
The DPP thanked TRAFFIC for its major assistance to combating the region’s rising wildlife crime challenges.
He praised the organization for its proactive efforts to raise awareness among local communities about the serious consequences of illegal wildlife trafficking, a problem that has far-reaching ramifications for both biodiversity and local economies.
The DPP, in his capacity as President of the Eastern Africa Association of Prosecutors, emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts by recognising TRAFFIC’s vital role in building the legal and prosecutorial framework across the entire region.
He emphasized that the organization’s participation has been critical in improving prosecutors’ ability to handle complicated environmental and wildlife-related crimes, resulting in a more informed and effective judicial approach to these offences.
Ms. Mikala Lauridsen, Programme Office Director of TRAFFIC, promised the DPP that her organization will continue to work with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
She emphasized TRAFFIC’s commitment to assisting with the prosecution of wildlife crimes through specialized training for prosecutors and collaborative community sensitization efforts.
This collaboration will focus on communities living near conservancies and national reserves, where the threat of illegal wildlife trading is most acute.
