The African Union has implemented a ban on the trade of donkey skins to safeguard Africa’s donkey population and the livelihoods of rural communities.
The decision, ratified during the 37th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, marks the culmination of efforts to address the alarming decline in donkey numbers across the continent.
The ban, proposed by the AU’s Specialized Technical Committee for Agriculture, Rural Development, Water, and Environment, comes in response to the devastating impact of the trade driven by Chinese demand for ejiao, a gelatin derived from boiling down donkey hides for use in traditional Chinese medicine.
According to Brooke – Action for Working Horses and Donkeys, an animal welfare group, the demand for ejiao has led to the decimation of donkey populations in China and subsequently fueled export industries in Africa and South America. With approximately two-thirds of the world’s estimated 53 million donkeys residing in Africa, the ban represents a crucial step in curbing the depletion of this vital resource.
Donkeys play a fundamental role in the daily lives of many rural communities, serving as a means of transportation and carrying essential goods such as water and food. The ban aims to protect these animals from exploitation while preserving the economic and social fabric of communities dependent on them.
The decision has been met with widespread support from conservationists, animal welfare organizations, and local communities alike, who view it as a significant victory for animal rights and sustainable development.
While challenges may arise in enforcing the ban and addressing existing trade networks, the African Union’s commitment to protecting donkeys signals a promising future for these resilient creatures and the communities they serve.
