Bagyeli Community Leader in Cameroon

Solange Sanhgan, 29 years old, a leader of the Bagyeli community fighting for their rights against Socapalm (Société Camerounaise de Palmeraies) expansion. “We have no dignity, no fruits, no fishes anymore (...) Socapalm brings nothing but poverty”. The Bagyeli are a group of Pygmies living in South Cameroon. As other local communities their livelihood is under threat of palm-oil and rubber uncontrolled expansion.

Unique identifier: GP0STPVRN

Type: Image

Shoot date: 16/03/2016

Locations: Africa, Cameroon, Kilombo

Credit line: © Micha Patault / Greenpeace

Ranking: ★★★★★★ (B)

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Socfin's Investiments Threaten Cameroon's Forests

In March 2016 Greenpeace lead an investigation on Socfin's plantations in Cameroon and published a report titled “Africa’s forests under threat: Socfin’s plantations in Cameroon and Liberia”. The Société Financière des Caoutchoucs (Socfin), one of the leading oil palm and rubber tree plantation operators in Africa, plans to extend its plantations in a dozen countries, mostly African nations, threatening forests that are essential for the preservation of climate balances, biodiversity and the living conditions of local populations. Greenpeace conducted map-based analyses and in-depth field surveys on Socfin's concessions in Cameroon. The case study reveals that Socfin’s business and its refusal to adopt a zero deforestation policy represent a major threat for Cameroon's forests in which the company operates. Greenpeace urges Socfin to adopt immediately and implement a zero deforestation policy, applicable to all its businesses and subsidiaries.

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