Illegal logging of valuable rosewood in Mozambique’s ancient forests, worth millions annually and primarily destined for China, is fueling both a brutal Islamist insurgency and a vast criminal network in the country’s north.
This trade, linked to funding militants with ties to Islamic State, highlights the complex intersection of environmental crime, terrorism financing, and global trade dynamics.
Despite international regulations, poor forest management, corruption, and inadequate enforcement allow the illicit trade to thrive, exacerbating conflict and environmental degradation in the region.
Credit: BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c51nnzzkpkyo