Madagascar no longer insisting on selling its seized rosewood, for now

• Madagascar has withdrawn its demand to be allowed to sell illegally harvested rosewood timber that it had previously seized.
• The move aligns Madagascar’s position more closely with that of the international community, which wants the country to crack down on the illegal logging and timber trade before a relaxation or lifting of the ban is even considered.
• However, the government hasn’t ruled out seeking permission for a sale in the future, raising concern among observers about the message this could send to illegal traders and to other countries also seeking to offload stockpiles of trafficked contraband.

by Malavika Vyawahare on 30 August 2019