there will be no ivory trade in Africa for the next nine years. African countries have reached the first-ever consensus at the conference of parties to the un convention on wildlife. The countries say it will help check dwindling populations of the African elephant (Loxodonta africana). The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (cites) held at The Hague also decided to set up an African elephant action plan to strengthen elephant management across the continent.

The decision, however, allows a few countries in the region, which have a surplus population of elephants, to go for a one-off sale of their ivory