Libreville conference addresses cross-border environmental crime in TRIDOM and TNS landscapes
A regional conference was held in Libreville, Gabon, from August 26 to 27, 2026, focusing on strengthening judicial and operational mechanisms against crimes affecting the TRIDOM and TNS transboundary landscapes. Representatives from Gabon, Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic gathered to improve the tracking of criminal networks, their financiers, and profits from illegal natural resource exploitation. The conference aimed to develop judicial and operational cooperation instruments for the TRIDOM Tri-national Dja, Odzala-Minkebe forest park and TNS Tri-National de la Sangha transboundary landscapes. Participants included judicial administrations, water and forestry departments, customs, and security forces, working towards a common response to threats against Congo Basin ecosystems. Augustin Emane, the Gabonese Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals, and Human Rights, emphasized Gabon's commitment to ecosystem preservation. He stated that combating environmental crimes must extend beyond resource protection to target the networks organizing and financing these activities. The primary goal is to dismantle these networks, identify their funders, and confiscate their illicit profits. The conference also addressed the need for improved judicial cooperation, including harmonizing legislation on offenses, sanctions, and penalties, as well as judicial assistance mechanisms and rapid evidence transmission. The Minister advocated for standardized and ha
