Strained Institutions in Cabo Verde Increase Risk of Corruption and Criminal Influence

Cabo Verde’s institutions are facing significant strain, increasing the risk of corruption and potential influence from organized criminal groups. The country’s reliance on international cooperation to address various challenges has created vulnerabilities that need to be addressed.

Capacity Issues and Limited Access to Justice

Despite being a key partner in global efforts to combat drug trafficking and organized crime, Cabo Verde’s judicial system struggles with:

• Capacity issues: Insufficient forensic expertise to investigate serious crimes, including cyber-crimes such as online child sexual abuse material production and dissemination.
• Limited access to justice: Overcrowded prison system and delays in court proceedings, making it challenging for vulnerable individuals, including women and youth, to access justice and safeguard their rights.

Susceptibility to Intimidation

The judiciary is also susceptible to intimidation by foreign criminal actors, particularly drug cartels from Russia and Latin America.

Community Policing Efforts

The Cabo Verde National Police, with the help of international partners, is implementing community policing strategies to combat crime and enhance public safety. However:

• Weak enforcement: Enforcement of legislation criminalizing online child sexual abuse materials remains weak, with inadequate supervision and application of fines.

Economic and Financial Vulnerabilities

Cabo Verde’s economic and financial environment is also vulnerable, with the country relying heavily on external factors such as development aid, foreign investment, remittances, and tourism. This has contributed to:

• Informal sector: Over a quarter of the economy is informal, contributing to a lack of transparency and increasing the risk of money laundering.
• Public sector debt: The government’s high level of public sector debt resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has suspended plans to privatize state-owned enterprises.

Private Sector Challenges

Private business owners often encounter:

• Legal and bureaucratic inefficiencies: Corruption, which can pose challenges to their operations.
• Corruption: Lack of transparency and accountability in government contracting and procurement processes.

Civil Society Efforts

Civil society in Cabo Verde remains active, particularly in prevention efforts against human trafficking and online child sexual exploitation. However:

• Decline in press freedom: There has been a decline in press freedom over the years, with the government still retaining significant control over state-owned media outlets.

Conclusion

The strained institutions in Cabo Verde have created an environment where corruption and criminal influence can thrive. It is essential that the country addresses these challenges to ensure the safety and security of its citizens and prevent further erosion of its institutions.