Author: Didi Wamukoya

Publisher: African Wildlife Foundation

Published: 2017-10-18

Total Pages: 41

ISBN-13:

Mozambique has developed comprehensive policies and laws for the protection, conservation and sustainable use of wildlife resources, with engagement of a wide range of stakeholders, including local communities and the private sector. During the last 15 years the main legislation governing wildlife and conservation areas management is the Forest and Wildlife Law1 and its regulation. However, this law is inadequate to combat wildlife crimes. Offenses against iconic and protected wildlife species are punishable only by fines, which are not high enough to discourage the crime. Additionally, the enforcement of the law is constrained by limited number of enforcement agents, limited patrolling equipment, limited incentives and widespread corruption. The increasing level of organized crime is also threatening the survival of protected wildlife species. The Conservation Areas Law2 was enacted in 2014 and offers a great opportunity to combat wildlife crime as it provides for heavy fines and imprisonment of up to 12 years for offenses against protected wildlife species. However, the enforcement of this law is constrained by the lack of its regulations. Mozambique has ratified the most relevant international conventions for the conservation of wildlife and their habitats and has, to a large extent, adapted domestic legislation to incorporate the provisions of the conventions. However, weak enforcement of domestic legislation undermines the fulfilment of the obligations of the country associated with the ratification of the conventions.