Movement to ban donkey slaughter gathers pace as African Union calls for urgent action

The African Union’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, Her Excellency Josefa L.C. Sacko, has written to all member states to ‘urgently request’ they prioritise the landmark 2024 ban on the slaughter of donkeys for their skins.

Importantly, the Commissioner has emphasised the need for countries to integrate donkey welfare into their national plans, alongside allocating resources and instigating policies that will ‘mitigate the adverse environmental and economic aspects’ associated with the donkey skin trade.

She also highlighted support from all member states for the Pan-African Donkey Strategy (PADS) for the Development and Management of Donkeys in Africa, which is currently being developed by the African Union’s Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).

The content and urgency of the letter has been welcomed by The Donkey Sanctuary and our partners in the International Coalition for Working Equids (ICWE) including Brooke, SPANA and World Horse Welfare.

Otieno Mtula, Regional Advocacy & Campaigns Manager (Africa) for The Donkey Sanctuary said: “The urgency of this request from the African Union demonstrates its commitment to protecting one of Africa’s most precious resources, and represents an important milestone in our campaign to end the skin trade. This is not just about a moratorium on the slaughter of donkeys, but a move toward a future where their contribution is valued, and their welfare is sacrosanct.

“As demand for their skins continues to threaten Africa’s donkeys, food security and livelihoods, this is a call to arms to member states to prioritise and allocate resources so collectively they can bring an end this cruel and unsustainable trade and protect these hardworking, sentient animals.”