Angola’s Dark Underbelly: Human Trafficking, Financial Crimes, and Criminal Actors Thrive

In the oil-rich nation of Angola, a burgeoning underworld of financial crimes casts a long and shadowy presence, fueled by various illicit activities. This article explores human trafficking, trade, environmental destructive practices, drug trafficking, cybercrimes, and the criminal actors driving Angola’s dark underbelly.

Human Trafficking

Angola, a source and destination country for countless victims, grapples with human trafficking on a massive scale. Both domestic and foreign exploitation is prevalent:

Domestic Exploitation: Angolans are commonly exploited in industries such as construction, agriculture, mining, and prostitution. Children are forced into criminal activities.
Foreign Exploitation: Angolans are trafficked to neighboring countries like South Africa, Namibia, Portugal, and the Netherlands, often as forced labor or to transport illicit goods. Foreign women, especially from China, are lured into Angola with promises of employment and end up victims of modern slavery and forced prostitution.

Trade

The illicit arms trade is rampant and fueled by the demand for weapons from Angolan secessionists in the oil-rich Cabinda province. Key concerns remain, despite claims that older stocks are easier to control:

Private Security Company Personnel: Reports have surfaced of private security company personnel, authorized to carry weapons, trafficking arms to local criminal networks.
Circulating Weapons: Many weapons from past civil wars are still in circulation.

Environment

Angola’s environmental concerns have escalated significantly in recent years. Unsustainable logging practices and wildlife poaching contribute to the following issues:

Illegal Logging: Chinese companies, collaborating with Angolan counterparts, illegally log and export timber through Angolan ports to Asia and Namibia.
Deforestation: Deforestation rates have soared by 50% over the past five years, resulting in Angola losing all of its natural forests.
Fauna Crimes: An estimated €220 million market value existed for fauna crimes in 2017. Endangered species like ivory and rhino horn are primary targets of poachers, leading to devastating losses for wildlife populations.

Drugs

Drug trafficking is a significant concern in Angola, primarily serving as a crucial intermediary for larger drug markets:

Cocaine: Angola is the most significant drug trans-shipment hub in the country, making it crucial for South American cocaine bound for southern and West African nations, Europe, and Middle Eastern markets.
Local Consumption: The local consumption of crack cocaine is high, making it the second most consumed drug in Angola. Most is sourced from Brazil.
Cannabis: Locally grown and imported from South Africa and Namibia, cannabis is the most commonly consumed drug market in Angola.
Methamphetamine: Angola is a transit hub for methamphetamine manufactured in Nigeria and destined for South Africa.

Cyber Crimes

Although not extensively documented, cybercrimes remain a concern in Angola:

International Collaboration: Angolan authorities and international organizations are working together to counteract these threats as they become more prevalent.

Criminal Actors

Angola’s criminal landscape is diverse, with criminal groups operating within various markets:

Small Groups: Emerging small mafia-style groups primarily operate within multiple criminal markets, targeting victims of large financial transactions.
Organized Criminal Groups: Angolan organized criminal groups have a major presence in wildlife trafficking and forestry while receiving protection from corrupt police officers.
State-embedded Actors: State-embedded actors constitute a significant threat to Angola’s efforts in counteracting financial crimes. With limited progress in addressing corruption, the government’s credibility remains low.

To effectively address these complex issues and secure Angola’s future, international collaboration, transparency, and a stronger anti-corruption framework are crucial.