What to Remember
Chad’s environment ministry and African Parks Network signed a joint communiqué on 17 October 2025 reinstating cooperation on protected areas. The accord follows an abrupt 6 October suspension over alleged contractual breaches. European Union funding worth €20 million for Zakouma National Park and the Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve now remains available while fresh terms are negotiated.
Rapid Policy Reversal in Ndjamena
The initial rupture, announced by Environment Minister Hassan Bakhit Djamous, accused African Parks of surging poaching, inadequate investment and recurring disrespect toward governmental counterparts. Observers noted the tone as unusually blunt for a sector that thrives on discreet dialogue.
Barely eleven days later, the same minister and African Parks director Peter Fearnhead inked a new statement under the gaze of Prime Minister Allamaye Halina. The speed of reconciliation underscores the political and financial weight attached to conservation in Chad’s foreign-policy toolkit.
EU Funding as a Diplomatic Trigger
On 15 October, European Union ambassador Przemysław Bobak publicly froze the bloc’s conservation disbursements, citing institutional uncertainty. The €20 million package—about CFA 13 billion—covers ranger training, community outreach and ecological monitoring in Zakouma and Ennedi.
The freeze amplified pressure on both parties. By restoring the agreement, Ndjamena reassured Brussels that governance safeguards can still be met, while African Parks protected one of its flagship Sahel portfolios from financial shortfall.
Negotiating a Fresh Governance Model
The joint communiqué records that African Parks “recognizes shortcomings” and vows to improve performance. It will continue to manage and co-finance existing projects while co-designing future ones with the ministry.
For its part, the government has reinstated previous management accords and pledged an atmosphere of “respect and cooperation.” Both sides plan to draft updated contracts that clarify investment levels, anti-poaching targets and channels for periodic review.
Key Actors and Their Stakes
Minister Hassan Bakhit Djamous seeks tangible conservation results that bolster Chad’s international reputation and attract climate finance. Peter Fearnhead defends African Parks’ model of blending private management with state oversight across Africa.
Prime Minister Allamaye Halina’s presence at the signing signaled high-level backing, while Ambassador Bobak’s intervention highlighted the EU’s leverage as a major funder of Sahel biodiversity projects.
Scenarios for Zakouma and Ennedi
If new terms are finalized quickly, field operations should resume without major disruption, allowing the dry-season tourism window to open as planned and ranger deployments to continue.
Should talks stall, EU funds may again be suspended, potentially weakening anti-poaching patrols during the critical late-year migration period. Both parties therefore have an incentive to translate political goodwill into contractual clarity within weeks.
Why It Matters Beyond Conservation
Chad’s swift course correction demonstrates how environmental governance is entwined with diplomacy and development finance. By salvaging the African Parks partnership, Ndjamena projects reliability to multilateral donors and reinforces its leadership credentials within the Central African Forest Initiative.
For regional policymakers, the episode offers a case study in balancing sovereignty concerns with the operational expertise of international NGOs, an equation increasingly central to conservation across the continent.
