Financial Crime World

Comoros Islands: Hotbed of Crime and Corruption

The Comoros Islands, a fragile state with a weak governance system, have become a haven for international criminal syndicates. A recent investigation has revealed that the islands’ lack of effective law enforcement and corruption-ridden judiciary have allowed drug traffickers, human smugglers, and wildlife poachers to operate with impunity.

Organized Crime in Comoros

  • Tanzanian nationals are predominantly involved in drug trafficking
  • Madagascan nationals are suspected of facilitating vanilla smuggling and importing drugs and tortoises into the country
  • The Comoros government has failed to curb organized crime due to a lack of political coordination between the three main islands, hindering effective governance

Leadership Criticized for Handling of Organized Crime

  • The country’s leadership has been criticized for its handling of organized crime
  • A recent referendum extended the presidential term and concentrated power in the hands of the executive
  • Opposition accuses government of vote rigging, with concerns about corruption and human rights abuses rampant

Criminal Justice System Underdeveloped

  • Courts struggle to cope with an influx of cases due to a lack of effective law enforcement
  • Corruption is endemic throughout the judiciary, leading to a lack of trust in the legal system
  • Police officers have been known to collude with criminal networks, making it difficult for authorities to effectively combat crime

Weak Financial System

  • The country’s financial system is weak, with limited capacity to track and trace illicit funds
  • Money laundering is poorly regulated, and there are few measures in place to prevent organized crime

Challenges Facing Civil Society Organizations

  • Lack of support for victims of organized crime
  • No effective measures to prevent trafficking in human beings
  • Media landscape has deteriorated significantly since the 2018 referendum, with journalists facing arrests, attacks, and intimidation

International Concerns

  • International partners have called on the Comoros government to take immediate action to address corruption and improve governance
  • Until then, the country will likely remain a haven for criminal syndicates and a source of concern for regional security