Government suspends commercial charcoal production and cancels forest product harvesting licences

First Deputy Prime Minister Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali announced that the government had decided to suspend commercial charcoal production, cancel licences for harvesting forest products and close temporary camps of illegal loggers and charcoal burners. He made the announcement at a meeting in Adjumani district with European Union ambassadors, National Forestry Authority officials and communities around Zoka Central Forest Reserve. EU envoys present expressed concern about deforestation and said they would discuss support to environmental groups.