In Cameroon, the Last Great Ape Organization (LAGA) (a g[non-governmental organization] (NGO)) has been collaborating with the Government of Cameroon in the enforcement of wildlife laws. The institutions have proceeded carefully with the collaboration, since law enforcement is historically a governmental function. Accordingly, NGOs in Cameroon traditionally have not participated directly in the enforcement of wildlife or other environmental laws. This innovative experiment has highlighted ways that NGOs can collaborate constructively with Governments to improve the enforcement of wildlife laws.
Cameroon has had a wildlife law in place for more than a decade, but there have been few if any prosecutions for violations of this law. Similarly, NGOs have undertaken many conservation projects in the country, but few of these have enhanced the actual application or enforcement of wildlife laws. Accordingly, LAGA and the Government of Cameroon agreed to try a new approach that was more collaborative and adopted a result-oriented approach with measurable standards for evaluating its effectiveness.
Starting in 2003, the project involves the NGO in all stages of law enforcement and application. This includes participating in investigations, field operations, legal follow-up and representation, prosecution, conviction, and post-conviction visits with the convicted individuals. It was essential that the NGO have a clear mandate (or “legitimacy”) to identify obstacles in the process and to challenge corruption where necessary.
This concept of legitimacy for an NGO to be involved in law enforcement is one of the unique aspects of this collaboration. This unique mandate requires political sensitivity and trust to be built between the NGO and the Government, not to mention care in terms of legal authority. As a practical matter, this trust was built gradually through a significant investment of time, open communications, and experience in collaborating. Initially, three conditions had to be met:
- 1. To prove quickly that the collaboration could deliver concrete results, as measured against a baseline;
- 2. That the results can benefit the Government; and
- 3. That this new level of collaboration does not harm the government or disrupt administrative procedures.
After one year, the challenge for gaining acceptance was met. Many concrete successful wildlife prosecutions (11 in the first year, and a total of 53 as of February 2006) are a strong indicator of success against the baseline. These results are benefiting the government through improved compliance and enforcement, with no additional expenditure of governmental resources. LAGA’s improved relations with the government have also benefited LAGA. For example, the government now includes LAGA as a member of its delegation to CITES meetings, including those of the Conferences of the Parties.
The positive results of this innovative approach indicate that NGOs can play a more active and effective role in supporting enforcement and compliance than previously thought. In order for NGOs to play such a role, though, it is important to first build trust between the NGO(s) and the relevant governmental bodies.
For more information, contact Mr. Ofir Drori at lastgreatape@yahoo.com