African Union Enforces Ban on Donkey Skin Trade to Safeguard Population

By Ugbede James

In a pivotal move aimed at preserving Africa’s dwindling donkey population, the African Union has taken a definitive stance by imposing a ban on the trade of donkey skins.

This landmark decision, ratified during the 37th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, underscores the urgent need to address the rampant exploitation of these animals driven by the lucrative demand for ejiao, a gelatin extracted from boiled donkey hides used in traditional Chinese medicine.

The ban, initially proposed by the AU’s Specialized Technical Committee for Agriculture, Rural Development, Water, and Environment, represents a significant victory for conservationists and animal welfare advocates who have long raised concerns about the unsustainable exploitation of donkeys across the continent.

According to reports from Brooke – Action for Working Horses and Donkeys, the relentless pursuit of ejiao has not only decimated China’s own donkey population but has also spurred a thriving export industry in Africa and South America.

With Africa being home to approximately two-thirds of the world’s estimated 53 million donkeys, the ban is poised to have far-reaching implications for the continent’s ecological balance and rural economies.

The decision to outlaw the donkey skin trade comes as a relief to millions of people in rural communities who rely on these resilient animals for transportation and the transportation of vital resources such as water and food.

By prohibiting the exploitation of donkeys for commercial gain, the African Union aims to protect both the welfare of these creatures and the livelihoods of those who depend on them.

While the enforcement of the ban may pose logistical challenges and require concerted efforts to dismantle existing trade networks, the African Union’s commitment to preserving donkey populations sends a powerful message about the importance of conservation and sustainable resource management.

With global attention increasingly focused on the protection of endangered species and biodiversity, the ban on the donkey skin trade stands as a beacon of hope for the future of Africa’s iconic yet vulnerable donkey population.