The Termit and Tin Toumma Nature Reserve, located in the middle of the Sahara desert, consists of:
100,000 square kilometres (38,500 square miles) - three times the size of Belgium
more than 130 species of birds
dozens of reptiles
more than fifteen mammalian species, including addax, classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (of which China has been President since 2012).
By decommissioning this reserve, this entire biodiversity is disappearing forever for future generations.
While China is multiplying its environmental commitments on its own territory, hosting major events such as the upcoming COP 15 of the "Convention on Biodiversity", and defending the panda as its wildlife symbol, the country is also carrying out a real operation to destroy African biodiversity.
It is time to reject this new form of neo-colonialism, which destroys the environment and local populations.
Despite their many requests, international and local NGOs have not been able to engage in a dialogue with the CNPC (China National Petroleum Corporation) to put environmental measures in place.
We have no choice but to mobilize massively to put pressure on the CNPC and the Nigerian government to obtain the reclassification of the Termit and Tin Toumma Nature Reserve.