Gabon becomes first African country paid to protect its rainforest
The UN-backed Central African Forest Initiative (Cafi) has handed over $17m – the first tranche of a $150m deal struck in 2019.
Gabon
Gabon passes landmark measures to manage and protect sharks and rays
The first new law fully regulates shark and ray catch in Gabon’s fisheries. Special authorization will now be needed to target sharks and rays in fisheries.
Subscriptions to satellite alerts linked to decreased deforestation in Africa
Deforestation dropped 18% in two years in African countries where organizations subscribed to receive warnings from a new satellite service.
Gabon’s legislature repeals the ban on homosexuality
Last week, the National Assembly in the central African nation voted in favor a bill that would legalize homosexuality. This past Monday, the Senate passed the law. President Ali Bongo is expected to sign it.
Norway will pay Gabon to preserve its forests
As part of a 10-year deal, Norway will pay $150 million to Gabon to battle deforestation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Kingdom of Kongo comes to power in modern-day Angola
The Kingdom of Kongo was a kingdom located in central Africa in present-day northern Angola, the western portion of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo as well as the southernmost part of Gabon. From c. 1390 to 1859 it was mostly an independent state.