Financial Crime World

The Pervasive Threat of Organized Crime in Chad

Chad, a country located in Central Africa, is facing significant challenges due to the proliferation of various forms of organized crime. These crimes pose substantial threats to national security and stability, making it essential for the government and international community to work together to address this issue.

Forms of Organized Crime in Chad

Illicit Activities

Chad has been grappling with a range of illicit activities associated with high levels of violence and criminal behavior. These include:

  • Illicit gold mining: Goldmining activities are largely unregulated and linked to violent incidents.
  • Drugs: Chad is considered a transit country for heroin, with some connections between domestic and regional terrorist organizations and drug trafficking.
  • Cocaine trafficking: The country plays a role as a transit point for cocaine, with armed groups profiting from the trade in the east and south.
  • Cannabis trade: Cannabis is produced along Chad’s southern borders and has been trafficked into the country from neighboring countries.
  • Tramadol trafficking: Tramadol consumption is reportedly on the rise due to its availability and affordability.
  • Cyber crimes: Organized crime groups are taking advantage of the internet to defraud or swindle the population and engage in hacking and fraudulent activities involving cryptocurrencies.
  • Financial crimes: Chad has a law against money laundering and terrorist financing, but its economic regulatory capacity remains weak.

Government Response

International Cooperation

Chad has indicated a commitment to promoting international cooperation in combating transnational organized crime. This includes relationships with various international organizations.

The country has some legal frameworks to counter organized crime, but implementation remains a challenge.

However, the government’s response is hindered by:

  • Limited transparency: Government transparency is limited, and oversight mechanisms and accountability are almost non-existent.
  • Specialized judicial units: There are no specialized judicial units in Chad specifically aimed at countering organized crime.
  • Limited law enforcement presence: Law enforcement continues to be confined to major cities and has remained geographically and functionally limited.

Challenges

Traditional Practices

Traditional practices give legitimacy to certain activities such as labor trafficking, making it challenging for the government to effectively address these issues.

Preventive Measures

Preventive measures against organized crime continue to be weak, and those tools and mechanisms that do exist are neither effective nor productive.

Civil Society and Social Protection

Victim Support

Victim and witness support in Chad remains limited and focused on key geographic areas.

Preventive Measures

The lack of effective preventive measures makes it difficult for the government to address organized crime effectively.