To combat illegal logging, Gambia has banned timber exports. All export licenses have been revoked.
The ban was immediately in effect and port authorities were instructed to refuse to load timber logs onto any vessel.
A BBC investigation in 2020 revealed that large quantities of West African Rosewood, which is protected by the United Nations, were being trafficked into the country from Senegal.
It is used in furniture making in China.
Since 2017, it has been listed as endangered. Last month, Cites, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species called on seven countries to stop trading in its products, including The Gambia.
Despite declaring its stocks near extinction almost a decade earlier, the Gambia continues to be one of the top five global exporters for West African Rosewood (Pterocarpus Erinaceus) despite being among the world’s largest five exporters.
Rosewood is a highly-trafficked wildlife product, both in terms of volume and value.
It is also known as Hongmu, or “redwood”, and is used primarily for antique-style furniture.
BBC Africa Eye figures showed that China imported more Than 300,000 tonnes of The Gambia’s goods between 2017 and 2020.
This is equivalent to half a million trees, and more than $100m (PS80m).
Multiple sources confirmed to BBC, over a year-long investigation both in Senegal as well as The Gambia that the rosewood being sent from The Gambia into China was made in the Casamance region.
The BBC discovered at least 12 depots that contained rosewood or other timber along a 170km (105 mile) stretch of border between the countries. They were all located within Gambian territory.
