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Story Publication logo April 9, 2026

Republic of the Congo: 'Down to the Last Log' (Video, French, Ep 4)

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English

Logs smuggled out from all corners of the Congo, completely illegally.

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This video report was originally broadcast in French on TV5MONDE. The key points of this report are presented in English below, followed by the original television report. For a full English version of the text, please click on the “Translate page with Google” button on the upper right-hand side.


Key Points

  • In the Republic of the Congo, the forestry code drastically restricts the export of logs; yet these tree trunks, intended for processing, continue to leave the country in large numbers—almost exclusively bound for China.
  • The logs are used to make furniture, beams, planks, and plywood.
  • Anonymous sources point to corruption that encourages Congolese officials to ignore the trafficking of logs. It also contributes to the weakening of the Congo Basin forest.
  • For a year, TV5MONDE investigated the illegal export of timber in the Republic of the Congo. (The report in the video begins at 16:55.)

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République du Congo: 'Congo, jusqu'à la dernière grume' (Vidéo, Ep 4)

Le reportage commence à 16:55.

Les grumes continuent de quitter le pays, malgré la loi qui restreint fortement les exportations de ces troncs d'arbres.

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