In response to news that Norway’s sovereign wealth fund — the world’s largest — divested last year from Singapore-based rubber giant Halcyon Agri Corporation Limited (Halcyon Agri) because of financial risk arising from tropical deforestation, Greenpeace Africa’s Congo Basin Project Leader Victorine Che said:
“This is a clear call to other investors to divest from Halcyon Agri. By doing so, it will make it more difficult for the company to continue grabbing land, abusing the human rights of local people and destroying forests seven kilometres east of Cameroon President Paul Biya’s hometown.
“Last year, Greenpeace Africa exposed the impacts of Halcyon Agri’s Cameroonian plantation Sud Cameroun Hévéa (Sudcam) on the ecosystem and on indigenous and local communities. The displacement of Baka communities without proper compensation or a resettlement plan, the intimidation of local whistleblowers, the lack of a clear buffer zone to allow neighbouring communities to sustain their livelihood and the project’s far-reaching opacity all require urgent redress.
“In addition to a permanent ban on deforestation and adequate compensation of communities, Greenpeace Africa is asking Halcyon Agri and the Cameroonian government for full transparency about the project. Sudcam’s ownership documents, the environmental and social impact studies, high conservation value assessments, concession maps and other key documents should all be made public.
“We are calling on Halcyon Agri’s customers such as Michelin, Goodyear, Continental and Bridgestone, to seriously reconsider the contribution they’re making to deforestation in Cameroon — and to sever all ties to the company.”
Media Contact:
-Nchemty M. Ozongashu
Communications Officer, Greenpeace Africa
Tel: 677-345-612 / [email protected]