Botswana Pushes For Free Trade In Ivory Despite Threats To Leave CITES

The Fourth Botswana's President Seretse Ian Khama (R) looks at a life-size ivory elephant sculpture after its unveiling at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone, Botswana on July 16, 2015. The ivories come from elephants that died naturally. MONIRUL BHUIYAN/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

Botswana should be allowed to trade in ivory because there is already a thriving black market for ivory, Government says. 

Following threats to leave CITES, the country wants free trade in ivory. A few months after the CITES conference, Botswana is still pushing to influence the global community to support its stance on ivory trade, the president of the country, Mokgweetsi Masisi, has said.