Press release - December 21, 2016
Yaounde, 21 December 2016 - Today, a petition was submitted to the President of Cameroon, asking him not to renew the palm oil plantation grant to Sithe Global Sustainable Oils Cameroon (SGSOC) in the South-West Region. This petition is accompanied by 180 281 signatures collected in Cameroon and internationally.
SGSOC’s three year probation grant expired on 25 November 2016. new grant was pending, Greenpeace Africa, Save Wildlife Conservation Fund, and Rettet den Regenwald EV (Rainforest Rescue) saw this as an opportunity and partnered to collect signatures to demonstrate strong public opposition against the company. “We feel encouraged that so many Cameroonians have signed this petition against SGSOC’s grant. It is our sincere hope that the government now will listen to the cry of the people,” says Eric Ini, Greenpeace Africa’s forest While a campaigner.
“SGSOC palm oil project not only destroys the livelihood of the local people in South-West Region, it also threatens primary rainforests, national parks and forest reserves which are home to a unique biodiversity hotspot,” says Reinhard Behrend, Director of Rainforest Rescue.
Several traditional rulers from the villages located around the concession area wrote a letter, on 25 October 2016, stating to the President of Cameroon that they would withdraw their support to the establishment of oil palm plantation by SGSOC. “It is very controversial in not respecting the best practices and rules for development. It has ignited many land disputes and inter-village boundary conflicts which never existed before SGSOC,” stated the letter.
“We never expected SGSOC to encroach on our farmlands and non-concession forest. We pray this petition will add traction to our plight and push the President to react accordingly,” says Chief Ejuba of Babensi II.
Greenpeace Africa and its partners hope the Presidency will heed the voice of thousands of Cameroonians who strongly oppose this project situated in a biodiversity hotspot. The international community, through various embassies in Cameroon, have also been informed about the signed petition against the company’s continuous presence in Cameroon.
Media contacts:
- Greenpeace Africa Forest Campaigner, +237 655 304 948
- Greenpeace Africa Forest Communication Officer, +337 677 345 612