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Organized Crime Landscape in Gabon
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Vulnerable Environment
Gabon is vulnerable to various forms of organized crime, including:
- Human trafficking
- Wildlife trafficking
- Drug trafficking
The country’s weak governance framework contributes to the proliferation of organized crime.
Criminal Justice and Security
Lack of Specialized Units
There are no specialized judiciary units to counter organized crime in Gabon. Judges are often seen as complicit with traffickers and may take bribes to delay or dismiss cases.
Law Enforcement Challenges
Law enforcement lacks specialized units to combat organized crime, but receives training on specific activities such as:
- Resource exploitation
- Drug trafficking
Economic and Financial Environment
Money Laundering and Anti-Corruption Efforts
Gabon has mechanisms in place to curb money laundering, including a Financial Intelligence Unit. However, these lack capacity to investigate and prosecute cases effectively.
Anti-corruption initiatives are often perceived as a tool for the executive branch to settle scores with dissenting voices.
Civil Society and Social Protection
Support for Vulnerable Populations
There are two state-funded NGO shelters offering services to:
- Homeless children
- Orphaned children at risk of trafficking
National authorities have increased efforts to identify and protect victims of human trafficking. However, there is a lack of information on rehabilitation programs for drug abuse.
Recommendations for Improvement
To combat organized crime in Gabon, the following areas require improvement:
- Strengthening governance frameworks to combat organized crime
- Improving law enforcement and judiciary capacity to combat organized crime
- Enhancing anti-money laundering efforts and increasing transparency in economic activities
- Increasing support for victims of human trafficking and drug abuse