By Baraka John
The Government of Western Equatoria State has announced renewed efforts to curb the illegal wildlife trade through awareness campaigns, community training, and alternative livelihood programs.
The initiative was discussed on Monday during a meeting between state authorities, conservation partners, and stakeholders, including Fauna & Flora and the state Ministry of Wildlife Conservation.
Speaking during the meeting, the Governor of Western Equatoria State, Daniel Badagbu Rimbasa, stressed the government’s commitment to ending the sale of wildlife and wildlife products in the state.
Rimbasa acknowledged that eliminating the practice may take time but said the government is determined to change public attitudes through large-scale awareness campaigns that highlight the importance of protecting wildlife and natural ecosystems.
Rimbasa said providing sustainable livelihoods alongside public awareness campaigns, he said, will be key to reducing wildlife exploitation and protecting the country’s natural resources.
This morning, we have come to the Wildlife Headquarters of Western Equatoria for an inter-agency committee meeting, where we are talking to make a decision and grant the government the political will of Western Equatoria, to fight and to stop the illegal wildlife trade. Riimbasa stated. Especially the selling of bush meat, and also to make sure that we create more awareness among people, so that we can protect our wildlife. We can conserve our wildlife and protect our biodiversity, and also the ecosystem”.
During the meeting, the Director General for Wildlife in the state, Joseph Duop Deng, noted that illegal hunting and the bushmeat trade remain widespread, particularly in remote areas where enforcement capacity is limited.
The protection of the animals is for all of us,” Deng urged. To do it for all of us, we have to protect the animals with organized forces. All the organized forces have taken even the government responsibility in doing the protection today”.
Acting Country Manager of Fauna & Flora, Lauren MacNeil, said the initiative aims to address the root causes of wildlife trafficking.
This is something that is to be owned by the government, to be supported by the wildlife service, and we here as Fauna & Flora and as a partner to the state government through the wildlife service”. Micheline asserted. We are here to support efforts to address the illegal wildlife trade in every way we can. We aim to disseminate information and raise awareness. We want to support those who are transitioning from the illegal wildlife trade into sustainable livelihoods”.
She emphasized that protecting wildlife is essential not only for conservation but also for building climate-resilient ecosystems and safeguarding community wellbeing.
Photo of bush meat sale openly at the Yambio open market
Illegal wildlife trade remains a major challenge in Western Equatoria State due to weak law enforcement and the presence of armed groups. The state is also believed to serve as a corridor for the smuggling of wildlife products from the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In Western Equatoria state, authorities and conservation groups are taking measures such as banning bush meat markets, conducting anti-poaching operations, and implementing the 2026 Wildlife Conservation and Protected Areas Act.
Conservationists are also using camera traps to monitor and safeguard important wildlife species throughout the region.