PADCO-2 Milestones: Common Position, Strategy, and Moratorium Endorsed in Abidjan

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, June 26–27, 2025 

The Second Pan-African Donkey Conference (PADCO-2), held under the theme “Africa’s Commitment in Policy and Practice to Donkey Preservation Now and in the Future,” brought a renewed sense of urgency and direction. Hosted by the Government of Côte d’Ivoire and convened by AU-IBAR and the International Coalition for Working Equids (ICWE) partners, this high-level gathering brought together about 200 delegates—ranging from ministers, parliamentarians, and technical experts to animal welfare organisations and civil society groups. Key ministers in attendance included Hon. Dr. Rwamirama Bright Kanyontore (Uganda), Hon. Abderahim Awat Atteib (Chad), and Hon. Dr. Taïga (Cameroon), alongside senior officials from Tanzania and representatives from the Pan-African Parliament, ECOWAS Parliament, and East African Legislative Assembly. The conference also saw strong participation from the ICWE partners—Brooke, The Donkey Sanctuary, SPANA, and World Horse Welfare—whose contributions were vital in shaping the dialogue on welfare, research, and policy advocacy.

“Africa must arise to protect the donkey population,” emphasized Uganda’s Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Dr. Rwamirama Bright Kanyontore. His call was echoed by H.E. Moses Vilakati, AU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (DARBE), whose message—delivered on his behalf by AU-IBAR Director Dr. Huyam Salih—reaffirmed that “Africa stands united in its resolve to preserve and protect the donkey.”

A Continent-Wide Crisis Demands a Coordinated Response
Donkeys remain an indispensable yet undervalued asset across Africa. With over 13 million donkeys supporting rural transport, agriculture, trade, and water collection, their roles are particularly crucial for women and children in marginalized communities. However, rising global demand for donkey skins—particularly for use in traditional medicine products like Ejiao—has fueled unsustainable exploitation, cross-border smuggling, and indiscriminate slaughter.
Dr. Hiver Boussini, Head of Animal Health at AU-IBAR, sounded the alarm: “Without intervention, illegal trade will erode rural livelihoods and biodiversity. PADCO-2 is a turning point—from commitment to implementation.”

Three Historic Outcomes
PADCO-2 delivered three key outcomes:
1.    Validation of the Pan-African Donkey Strategy (2026–2035):
Developed by AU-IBAR through an inclusive, African-led process, this visionary framework provides a roadmap to safeguard donkey populations while recognizing their contribution to climate resilience, food security, gender equality, and economic development. The strategy focuses on seven strategic objectives, including:
o    Implementing and enforcing the AU-wide moratorium on donkey skin trade.
o    Integrating donkey welfare into national livestock and rural development policies.
o    Investing in welfare-friendly value chains, veterinary services, breeding programs, and data systems.

2.    Adoption of the Abidjan Declaration:
Ministers and stakeholders from across Africa adopted a Common Position and Continental Moratorium on Donkey Slaughter for Skins. The declaration reaffirms the indefinite ban on donkey slaughter for skins and urges AU Member States to revoke licenses for slaughterhouses, enforce crackdowns on illegal trade, and harmonize national laws in line with AU decisions.
“We have turned the moratorium into a springboard for action—through policy, legislation, community engagement, and surveillance,” said Commissioner Vilakati.

3.    Political Momentum for Continental Implementation:
The conference set the stage for the Strategy and Declaration to be submitted to the Specialized Technical Committee on Agriculture (STC-ARDWE) and eventually to the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government. AU-IBAR also announced plans to establish a Donkey Program to coordinate implementation, support countries, and track progress.

“Together, we have made history. Now, together, we must shape the future,” concluded Commissioner Vilakati in his closing remarks.
Spotlight on Research and Innovation
 

PADCO-2 was enriched by cutting-edge research presented in its scientific sessions:
•    Donkey Welfare in Africa: Dr. Elynn Njeri highlighted findings from 25 countries showing urgent welfare gaps, disease risks, and reproductive challenges.
•    Kenya’s Value Chain Study: Dr. James Mutiiria Kithuka revealed the informal nature of donkey markets and the need for regulatory frameworks.
•    Economic Impact of Donkey Health: ILRI’s Girma Birhan demonstrated that donkeys contribute up to 21% of household income, and that disease and injury reduce productivity by 28%.
 

Other key topics included:
•    The socio-economic impacts of donkey theft on women and children.
•    Multiagency collaboration in countries like Kenya to combat illegal slaughter.
•    Donkeys as resilience assets in disaster response, particularly in drought- and flood-prone areas.

Looking Ahead
The conference also called for:
•    Biennial progress reports on implementation of the strategy and moratorium.
•    Cross-border coordination to address smuggling and illegal markets.
•    Resource mobilization through partnerships with FAO, WOAH, ICWE, and animal welfare organizations.

In a call for continuity, Commissioner Vilakati invited Uganda to consider hosting PADCO-3 in 2027, praising the country’s leadership in donkey preservation.
During the conference, recognition awards were also made to the following Ministers and institions for their work in donkey preservation:

Conclusion
PADCO-2 was a declaration of Africa’s moral and strategic commitment to preserve a species fundamental to its development. The adoption of the Pan-African Donkey Strategy and the Abidjan Declaration lays the foundation for a unified, science-informed, people-centered approach to protecting donkeys and strengthening the communities that depend on them.
“Donkeys are not just a mode of transport—they are partners in our development. We must recognize their worth and act accordingly.” – H.E. Moses Vilakati

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