The Minister of Forestry and Wildlife requests the Association for Forests and Rural Development to suspend its activities in the sub-sector, pending the renewal of the memorandum of understanding linking the two parties.
In Cameroon, the sustainable management of forests and wildlife remains a strategic issue, both environmental, economic and social. In this context, the Minister of Forestry and Wildlife, Jules Doret Ndongo, sent an official correspondence on March 03, 2026, to the coordinator of the Association for Forests and Rural Development requesting the suspension of its activities in the sub-sector.
Read more Cameroon: the March 2026 parliamentary session fuels questions and expectations
In his letter, the member of the government indicates having noted that the organization’s teams are continuing their interventions in the field despite the expiration of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) that framed their collaboration with the forestry administration. The minister emphasizes that this situation could create “embarrassing situations” if activities were to continue without a valid legal framework.
Consequently, he requests the association to suspend any action related to forests and wildlife until the completion of the MoU renewal process currently underway.
This decision comes as Cameroon, which is home to a significant part of the Congo Basin—the world’s second-largest tropical forest massif—is strengthening its control mechanisms in the management of natural resources. The authorities thus intend to better oversee the interventions of partner organizations involved in conservation, community forest management and the fight against illegal logging.
For many observers in the sector, clarifying the partnership frameworks between the State and civil society organizations remains essential to reconcile biodiversity conservation, local development and the sustainable exploitation of forest resources.
