Kinshasa, September 14th, 2025 (CPA). – The Congolese Government, concerned about the illegal trafficking of red wood of the ‘padouk’ type in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is considering suspending its exploitation throughout the country, on the proposal of the Minister in charge of the Environment, according to the report read on Saturday on national television.
« Faced with this situation and with COP 30 approaching, the Minister in charge of the Environment, Sustainable Development and the New Climate Economy has proposed a nationwide suspension of the exploitation of red padouk wood. She has recommended the adoption of an interministerial decree prohibiting the cutting, transport and marketing of this precious wood throughout the national territory until further notice, » has declared Minister Kibassa Maliba in his reading of the report. The Minister in charge of the Environment has presented to the Council of Ministers a briefing note on the illegal exploitation of red wood, a precious species of the ‘padouk’ type, which has been the victim of intensive trafficking for more than a decade. ‘This red wood, which is particularly sought after by luxury furniture manufacturers, is being harvested illegally in several provinces. This illicit trade has intensified over the years, compromising the sustainability of forest resources and the country’s environmental credibility,’ has explained Minister Marie Nyange.
‘It is imperative to strengthen enforcement measures and transparency to reassure international partners and demonstrate the country’s commitment to rigorous forest governance in line with global standards,’ she has argued. Marie Nyange has also stressed the need to intensify controls on the production and marketing of PC/PCB timber. To this end, she has advocated the rapid implementation of the Integrated Forest Management System (SIEMF), a one-stop digital shop for regulating the forestry sector. This decision aims to send a strong signal of the government’s commitment to safeguarding this endangered species, restoring the rule of law in the forestry sector, and ensuring that the Congolese people benefit from natural resources in a spirit of equality and transparency, thereby contributing to sustainable development and shared prosperity.