ABSTRACT
This chapter aims at providing a new reading of logging in Southern Cameroon by using concepts taken from ecological economics and political ecology in order to stimulate a reflection that may foster a change. In particular, it focuses on the ‘Forest Law Enforcement, Government and Trade’ (FLEGT) process aiming at developing a ‘Voluntary Partnership Agreement’ (VPA) between the government of Cameroon and the European Union on the matter of legal timber trade. However, because this kind of process tends to restrict the discussion to a limited number of aspects, we find it crucial not to forget the bigger picture if our aim is to better understand what is at stake and what kind of strategies or public policies should be promoted. Accordingly, the chapter provides a contextual overview of Cameroon's logging situation — especially power and local impact issues.
