President of Chad Confers Highest Civilian Honours on African Parks Managers

President Idriss Deby Itno marked Zakouma National Park’s 50th anniversary on Friday by setting Chad’s 1.1-ton ivory stockpile alight before bestowing the country’s highest civilian honours, Les Ordres Nationaux du Tchad, on Zakouma park manager Rian Labuschagne and his deputy Babakar Matar Breme for distinguished service to the country. 

Rian Labuschagne was awarded l’Ordre d’Officier and Babakar Matar Breme l’Ordre de Chevalier in acknowledgement of their conservation achievements at Zakouma under African Parks. African Parks’ country director Gilles Desesquelles, former head of the European Union in Chad, was awarded l’Ordre des Commandeurs for his pivotal role in facilitating the partnership between the Chadian Government and African Parks. The 50th anniversary event also saw the President unveil a monument in memory of the 23 Zakouma guards who have been slain on duty since 1998.

During his speech, President Déby Itno acknowledged the merits of the public-private partnership entered into with African Parks in 2010, saying: "It is a good example of the co-operation to be followed for the management of other protected areas.”