Stories from Sanga · Central African Republic

NGOs have raised alerts regarding pressure exerted on employees of Céphile, a Chinese-owned forestry company. Three civil society organizations have raised alarms regarding the forestry firm Yohann Dong, also known as Cephid. The group alleges the company is bypassing bans on exporting unprocessed timber logs. A five-part investigation into these practices was broadcast on TV5 Monde in early April. On April 15, employees at the K-Boss site were summoned to a meeting attended by local authorities and the company's local director. Three NGOs have issued a communiqué alleging that Cephid continues illegal log exports. The executive director of the TrésorZilla Action Center for Development, based in Brazzaville, called on authorities to protect employees. Workers at Cephid were reportedly ordered to denounce those who testified regarding the ongoing timber exports.