In a firm statement against illegal wildlife trade, Nigeria witnessed a significant event on Tuesday, January 09, 2024, as the government destroyed a staggering 2.5 tons of confiscated elephant tusks valued at over $11.2 million (N9.9 billion).

The tusks, seized from wildlife traffickers, were ceremoniously shattered and are slated to be pulverized into a commemorative monument in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

The move, spearheaded by Environment Minister Iziaq Salako, is a decisive stand against the escalating illegal wildlife trade. Salako said that the destruction of the tusks serves as a clear message that Nigeria will not tolerate this illicit practice. The intended monument aims to symbolize Nigeria’s commitment to elephant conservation.

Nigeria has increasingly become a hotspot for the illegal trade in African animal parts, primarily catering to Asia’s demand. The recent destruction of nearly four tonnes of pangolin scales in October underscored the country’s firm stance against wildlife trafficking.

Despite decades-long bans on international ivory commerce, experts estimate that tens of thousands of elephants fall victim to poaching annually. The 2.5-ton haul destroyed this week, showcasing intricately carved artworks, represents one of Nigeria’s most significant seizures.

According to recent reports, Africa’s elephant population has drastically declined from over 1.3 million in the 1970s to less than 500,000 today. Nigeria, home to a mere 400 elephants, faces a critical conservation challenge. Human-elephant conflicts, often arising from crop destruction or human encounters, further compound the issue.

Highlighting this, a viral video in December depicting soldiers shooting two elephants that strayed onto farmland prompted public outrage and triggered investigations by Nigerian authorities.

More efforts, strategies Needed

Nigeria’s step to destroy confiscated ivory echoes a global call for preserving endangered species. However, efforts and strategic measures remain imperative to curb the thriving illegal wildlife trade and ensure the survival of Africa’s dwindling elephant population.

Some conservationists have raised concerns, arguing that destroying seized ivory may not be the most effective solution. They suggest utilizing confiscated ivory for educational purposes, art exhibitions, or scientific research to raise awareness and combat demand. Experts and conservationists globally advocate for multifaceted approaches seen in other nations.

Countries such as Kenya and Gabon have implemented innovative strategies to address the poaching crisis and curb the illegal wildlife trade.

Kenya, for instance, has been lauded for its holistic approach. The East African country invests significantly in anti-poaching units, employs community-based conservation initiatives, and collaborates with international organizations to combat wildlife crime.

Similarly, Gabon has taken a proactive stance by establishing specialized law enforcement units dedicated to protecting wildlife. Alongside stringent law enforcement measures, Gabon emphasizes community engagement, incorporating local populations in conservation efforts and offering incentives for protecting wildlife habitats.

Despite Nigeria’s bold statement in destroying confiscated ivory, gaps in its approach to combat poaching and illegal wildlife trade remain evident. The lack of comprehensive anti-poaching strategies, limited resources allocated to wildlife protection, and insufficient community involvement pose significant challenges.

Furthermore, the decision to pulverize the ivory into a monument, while symbolically powerful, has raised concerns among conservationists. Some argue that alternative approaches, such as controlled sales of seized ivory under strict regulations, could fund conservation efforts, support local communities, and diminish the black market demand.

The tragic incident in December, where soldiers shot elephants that strayed onto farmland, underscores the urgent need for improved training and protocols within Nigeria’s enforcement agencies to handle human-wildlife conflicts effectively.

While Nigeria’s commitment to conserving elephants is commendable, adopting a more comprehensive strategy akin to successful models in other African nations, along with stronger law enforcement, community engagement, and innovative conservation measures, could significantly bolster efforts to safeguard its dwindling elephant population and combat the illegal wildlife trade more effectively.

As tensions between China and Taiwan continue to escalate, the island nation is preparing for the worst-case scenario: a full-scale invasion by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

One of the main challenges that Taiwan would face in such a scenario is how to maintain communications with its allies and the international community, as well as among its own military and civilian sectors, in the face of a massive cyberattack and electronic warfare campaign by China.

According to experts, China has the capability and the intent to disrupt Taiwan’s communications networks, both wired and wireless, using a combination of hacking, jamming, spoofing, and physical attacks. China could also target Taiwan’s satellites, which are vital for navigation, surveillance, and communication.

Such a communications blackout could severely hamper Taiwan’s ability to coordinate its defense, request assistance, and inform the world of the situation on the ground.

To counter this threat, Taiwan has been developing and deploying various measures to ensure the resilience and redundancy of its communications systems. Some of these measures include:

Building a secure fiber-optic network that connects all military bases and command centers, as well as key government agencies and critical infrastructure. This network is designed to withstand physical damage and cyberattacks, and to provide high-speed and high-capacity data transmission.
– Developing a new satellite system, called Formosat-7, that consists of six microsatellites that can provide real-time weather data and ionospheric monitoring. This system can enhance Taiwan’s situational awareness and early warning capabilities, as well as support its missile defense and anti-jamming operations.

Acquiring more mobile and low-profile communication platforms, such as truck-mounted satellite terminals, tactical radios, and drones, that can operate in contested environments and provide alternative means of communication.

Establishing a national cybersecurity center, called the Information and Communication Security Technology Center (ICST), that is responsible for monitoring, detecting, and responding to cyber threats. The center also conducts research and development on cybersecurity technologies and provides training and education for cybersecurity personnel.

Enhancing public awareness and preparedness for a communications blackout scenario, by conducting drills, simulations, and exercises that test the readiness and interoperability of various communication systems and protocols. The government also encourages the public to use encrypted messaging apps, VPNs, and other tools that can protect their online privacy and security.

Taiwan’s efforts to bolster its communications capabilities are part of its overall strategy of asymmetric warfare, which aims to deter or delay a Chinese invasion by exploiting Taiwan’s advantages in technology, geography, and morale. By ensuring that Taiwan can communicate effectively under any circumstances, Taiwan hopes to send a clear message to China and the world: Taiwan will not surrender easily.

Russia warns Ukraine about consequences of its aggressive actions in the Donbas

On Wednesday evening, a new aggravation of the situation took place in the Donbass. Ukrainian forces shelled militia positions on the front line in an attempt to break through to the Russian border. As a result of the attack, one Russian serviceman was killed, and two others were injured.

This is not the first time that the Ukrainian military has violated the ceasefire established in 2015 in Minsk. Since the beginning of the year, according to the OSCE, more than 2,000 ceasefire violations have been recorded in Donbas. At the same time, Kiev not only ignores the demands of the international community to resolve the conflict, but also continues to build up its military forces on the border with Russia.

Russia has repeatedly warned Ukraine of the consequences of its aggressive actions in the Donbas. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia will not leave without protection the residents of Donbass, who expressed their will in referendums in 2014. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stressed that Russia is ready for dialogue with Ukraine, but only on the basis of respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Donbass.

In connection with the aggravation of the situation in Donbas, Russia also appealed to the UN Security Council with a demand to take measures to prevent the escalation of the conflict. Russia called on international organizations and guarantor countries of the Minsk agreements to actively influence Kiev so that it abandons plans for a military solution to the Donbass problem.

Russia also expressed its condolences to the families and friends of the dead and wounded Russian soldiers. The Russian Defense Ministry said it was providing all necessary assistance to the victims and was ready to evacuate the body of the deceased from the conflict zone.

The situation in the Donbas region of Ukraine remains tense and volatile, as the Ukrainian government continues to pursue a military solution to the conflict with the pro-Russian separatists. Russia, which has been supporting the rebels with arms and personnel, has repeatedly warned Ukraine of the consequences of its aggressive actions in the Donbas.

According to Moscow, any escalation of violence or attempt to retake the territory by force would be met with a strong and decisive response from Russia, which considers the Donbas as part of its sphere of influence and historical legacy. The international community, meanwhile, has been urging both sides to respect the Minsk agreements, which were signed in 2015 and 2016 to establish a ceasefire and a political dialogue.

However, the implementation of these agreements has been stalled by mutual distrust and accusations of violations. The risk of a full-scale war between Ukraine and Russia is high, and the implications for regional and global security are grave. In this blog post, we will analyze the causes and consequences of the Donbas crisis, and explore the possible ways to resolve it peacefully.