Central African Republic: Lawlessness Reigns Supreme

A Hotbed of Organized Crime

Bangui - In a country where state actors operate outside the law, the lines between legal and illegal activities are blurred, and foreign criminal networks thrive. The Central African Republic (CAR) is a hotbed of organized crime.

Armed Groups and Extortion

The Anti-Balaka, one of the many armed groups operating in the country, has a loose command structure and is ethnically based. Despite signing a peace deal with the government in 2019, they still control much of the country, relying on extortion and illegal taxation as their main source of funding.

Warlords and Criminal Markets

Warlords have been known to extort cattle traders, while other groups specialize in specific criminal markets. The proliferation of unorganized traffickers, bandits, and robbers has created a culture of lawlessness, with the state security services unable to counter them.

Insecurity and Corruption

Insecurity is rampant, making the CAR one of the most dangerous countries in Africa. Corruption is rife among government officials and law enforcement agencies, who often cooperate with criminal actors.

Limited Policy-Making Capacity

The government’s policy-making capacity is limited, and national laws targeting organized crime are scarce. The judicial system is incapable of combating crime, with a large majority of the prison population in pre-trial detention.

International Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking

International organizations have stepped up efforts to combat human trafficking and support law enforcement, but progress has been slow. The country’s porous borders make it easy for criminals to operate, with no functioning border control in place except at the border with Cameroon.

Economic Challenges

The economy is weak, with businesses often seeking tax exemptions through bribery. There is no capacity to implement anti-money laundering measures, and foreign banks have detected numerous instances of money laundering.

Weak Civil Society and Media Environment

Civil society organizations are weak and focused on conflict-related issues rather than organized crime. The media environment is corrupt and dangerous, with international journalists being detained or killed while reporting on the conflict.

Reliance on Humanitarian Aid and Foreign Support

The CAR’s reliance on humanitarian aid from the international community has not translated into effective governance or security measures. Instead, the government has turned to China and Russia for support, with security cooperation with Russia well established and economic cooperation with China growing.

Challenges in Forest and Wildlife Management

As the country struggles to combat organized crime, it remains a challenge to develop more effective law enforcement in forest and wildlife management. The creation of a special criminal court has seen some militiamen sentenced to prison, but more cases are pending.

A Cycle of Violence and Corruption

In the meantime, the CAR’s citizens continue to live in fear, with no end in sight to the cycle of violence and corruption that plagues their country.