São Tomé and Príncipe: A Potential Transit Hub for Illicit Activities

São Tomé and Príncipe, an island nation located in the Gulf of Guinea, is facing concerns about its vulnerability to organized crime due to its strategic location. The country’s unique geography, with a long coastline and vast maritime borders, makes it an attractive route for drug traffickers and other criminal networks.

Drug trafficking in São Tomé and Príncipe is often linked to tourism and cultural events. While there have been few reports of local consumption, the country’s proximity to international shipping lanes and its reputation as a popular tourist destination make it an attractive route for smugglers. The following are some examples:

Drug trafficking is often linked to tourism and cultural events
Proximity to international shipping lanes makes it an attractive route for smugglers
Reputation as a popular tourist destination

Cyber Crimes on the Rise

In addition to drug trafficking, São Tomé and Príncipe is also vulnerable to cyber-dependent crimes. The country lacks a regulatory framework and law enforcement capacity to counter these types of attacks, which has led to sporadic reports of hacking and online fraud targeting private institutions and government authorities.

Financial Crimes and Corruption

The report highlights the lack of reporting on financial crimes in São Tomé and Príncipe, despite widespread perception of corruption. The country’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism protocol does not meet global standards, and its regulatory processes lack capacity to respond to money laundering and terrorist financing risks.

Economic Challenges

São Tomé and Príncipe is a lower-middle-income country with a fragile economy that is highly vulnerable to external shocks. The country’s economy is experiencing a slowdown due to factors such as inflation, fuel prices, and climate change. High unemployment and low wages also create incentives for individuals to engage in organized criminal activity.

The report notes that while some government initiatives exist to support victims of crime, there are no established assistance programs for victims of organized crime. Additionally, the country lacks an explicit organized crime prevention policy, and external support is needed to develop a comprehensive approach to addressing this issue.

Government initiatives exist to support victims of crime
No established assistance programs for victims of organized crime
Lack of explicit organized crime prevention policy

Oversight and Coordination

Despite these challenges, the report notes that oversight of national police, customs, and immigration authorities, as well as the military, is adequate. However, citizens express high levels of mistrust due to perceived inefficiency and corruption, as well as reports of police mistreatment.

Adequate oversight of national police, customs, and immigration authorities
Citizens express high levels of mistrust

Conclusion

São Tomé and Príncipe’s unique location and economic challenges make it a potential transit hub for illicit activities. While some progress has been made in addressing these issues, more needs to be done to strengthen the country’s regulatory framework, law enforcement capacity, and social protection systems. International cooperation and support are essential to help São Tomé and Príncipe address these challenges and ensure a safer and more secure future for its citizens.

Unique location makes it a potential transit hub for illicit activities
Economic challenges create incentives for organized criminal activity
International cooperation and support are necessary