Follow CGSP on Social Media

Listen to the CGSP Podcast

How Chinese Demand for African Pangolins Worsens Security in Cameroon

by Cobus van Staden
A file image of an African pangolin in the wild. Guillem Sartorio / AFP

The African pangolin is a small mammal covered in hard scales. These scales are used in Chinese traditional medicine, fueling an illegal global trade that is driving these shy animals to extinction. Pangolins are now the most poached animal on earth, with one being killed every three to five minutes.

The trade is also fueling organized crime networks that threaten peace and security in rural Cameroon. A new investigative report by Alexia Tata, published by the U.S. Institute of Peace, draws on undercover reporting to show that the pangolin trade is exacerbating both corruption and violence in Cameroon.

Lead the Conversation on China

Subscribe Today to Get Full Access to The China-Global South Project

Check Out Everything You'll Get With Your Subscription

The China-Global South Daily Brief delivered to your inbox at 6AM Washington time

Full access to exclusive news and analysis from editors based in the Global South

Transcripts of CGSP’s twice-weekly podcasts

Students and teachers with a valid .edu email address are eligible for a 50% discount off monthly or yearly subscriptions. Email us to receive a discount code.

You Might Like

Prominent Chinese Africa Expert on U.S. Troops’ Return to Somalia

The Biden administration’s decision to return U.S. troops to Somalia has sparked reaction from one of China’s foremost Africa experts. From her position at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, He Wenping played ...

Amid Backdrop of Anti-Chinese Violence in Pakistan, Foreign Ministers From Both Countries Meet to Reaffirm Ties

Pakistan’s new Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari spent the weekend meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou.  This was Bilawal’s first official overseas visit since ...

Security, Trade Top Agenda During Wang Yi’s Meeting With Gulf Ministers in New York

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met on Tuesday with a group of six ministers from Persian Gulf countries and the General Secretary of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Nayef Al-Hajraf, ...

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.