The junta in Gabon, the world’s second-most forested nation, has taken full control of the nation’s timber company, giving it direct access to a $620 million industry.

The military rulers took over control of the Société Nationale des Bois du Gabon from the Gabon Special Economic Zone, which is managed by Dubai-based Arise IIP and the African nation’s government.

Gabon’s timber industry accounts for about 3.2% of the $19.4 billion economy, according to the World Bank. The government has so far strictly controlled logging and banned exports in 2010. The decree brings 600,000 hectares (1.5 million acres) of forest under the junta’s control, military leader Brice Oligui Nguema said.

“This shows our determination to protect our resources, manage them responsibly and make them a driving force for the development of our country,” Nguema said on X.

Ce lundi 30 décembre, j’ai reçu l’acte marquant le retour de la SNBG sous le contrôle de l’État. Ce geste témoigne de notre détermination à protéger nos ressources, à les gérer avec responsabilité et à en faire un moteur pour le développement de notre pays. pic.twitter.com/WbMrIWluLj

— Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema (@oliguinguema) December 30, 2024

The junta has been taking over assets. Earlier this year it used its preemptive rights to buy shares in Assala Energy, preventing a sale to Etablissements Maurel & Prom SA by the Carlyle Group.

The latest move will help the military rulers improve the use of Gabon’s forest assets, according to Marc Ona Essangui, head of the Brainforest, a non-state organization, and third vice-president of the nation’s Senate.

“The challenge today is to set up the mechanism for controlling logging,” Essangui said. “We must have systems for the monitoring and the traceability of wood. We must have a forest code that lives up to international standards and above all one that guarantees the sustainable exploitation of forest resources.”

The junta signed a memorandum of understanding with Arise IIP on Monday, Nguema said. It wasn’t immediately clear whether Arise was compensated. The company couldn’t be reached for comment by phone or e-mail outside office hours.