Guinea-Bissau: The Epicenter of Cocaine Trafficking in West Africa
A Warning from the UN: Guinea-Bissau’s Growing Role in International Drug Trafficking
A recent report by the United Nations has labeled Guinea-Bissau as an “increasingly important logistical hub for drug trafficking” in West Africa. The country’s strategic location and corrupt political-military elite have made it a prime transshipment point for cocaine shipments bound for Europe.
A History of Corruption and Criminal Alliances
According to Lucia Bird, director of the West Africa Observatory at the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime, Guinea-Bissau’s history has become intertwined with the fortunes of its politico-military elite. The country’s politicians and military figures have formed alliances with criminal entrepreneurs, often dual citizens of another country, to facilitate the flow of drugs through the region.
Recent Cocaine Seizures: A Glimpse into the Country’s Criminal Networks
In 2019, two large cocaine shipments were seized in Guinea-Bissau, both of which had entered the country via the Bijagós archipelago. One of the shipments was linked to a Malian national who used drug trafficking proceeds to finance the Al-Mourabitoun terrorist group, affiliated with Al-Qaeda.
A Complex Network of Criminal Organizations and Corrupt Officials
Bird notes that investigations into many cocaine seizures in the Gulf of Guinea have revealed a complex network of criminal organizations and corrupt officials working together to smuggle drugs into Europe. The fragmentation of Colombian criminal networks and the rise of Brazilian groups like the Primeiro Comando da Capital (Pcc) have led to an increase in cocaine shipments leaving Brazil, which find their way to Guinea-Bissau’s shores.
Obstacles to Combating Drug Trafficking
The country’s porous borders and lack of investment in its judicial police force make it difficult for authorities to effectively combat drug trafficking. Corruption within the judicial system is a major obstacle, with cases often being downgraded or dismissed due to political pressure.
Recent Developments and Concerns
The situation has been exacerbated by the change at the top of power in 2020, with some figures from Guinea-Bissau’s political-military establishment linked to drug trafficking returning to prominence under President Jorginho Santo. The concentration of power in his hands and increased influence on the judicial apparatus have raised concerns about the country’s ability to combat drug trafficking.
A Competitive Market for Cocaine
As Angela Me, a UN expert, notes, “The ’ndrangheta no longer has a monopoly in the trafficking of cocaine in Europe, where groups from the Balkans, particularly the Albanians, have greater weight.” The competitive market has led to a decrease in cocaine prices and an increase in quality and quantity.
Implications for the Region and Beyond
Guinea-Bissau’s role as a key player in West Africa’s cocaine trade has significant implications for the region and beyond. As international authorities seek to disrupt drug trafficking networks, they must also address the underlying corruption and political instability that enables these criminal organizations to thrive.