São Tomé and Príncipe: A Challenging Fight Against Organized Crime

São Tomé and Príncipe, a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea, is facing significant challenges in combating organized crime. Despite efforts to modernize its judicial system and law enforcement agencies, corruption, political influence, and inadequate resources continue to hinder the country’s stability and economic development.

Judicial Challenges

The country’s judiciary is plagued by budgetary constraints, lack of specialized personnel, and outdated infrastructure. This has led to trials being dropped against politically connected individuals, fueling public mistrust. The government has launched initiatives to modernize the judiciary and prevent corruption, but more needs to be done.

Budgetary constraints
Lack of specialized personnel
Outdated infrastructure

Laws Enforcement

The country’s law enforcement agencies face significant challenges in combating organized crime, including a lack of necessary equipment and qualified personnel. This limits their ability to respond effectively to criminal activity, particularly in the maritime sector where the country’s long coastline and vast borders make policing and monitoring difficult.

Lack of necessary equipment
Qualified personnel shortage
Difficulty in policing and monitoring the maritime sector

Economic and Financial Environment

São Tomé and Príncipe is vulnerable to money laundering and terrorist financing due to its Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism protocol not meeting global standards. The government is working to address these deficiencies, but institutional weaknesses persist. The country’s fragile economy is also susceptible to external shocks, including inflation linked to the war in Ukraine and climate-related weather events.

Vulnerability to money laundering and terrorist financing
Institutional weaknesses
Fragile economy

There are no established assistance programs for victims of organized crime in São Tomé and Príncipe. While some government initiatives aim to support victims, a lack of resources and external support hampers efforts. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operate freely but face funding constraints that limit their effectiveness.

Lack of assistance programs for victims
Limited government resources and external support
Funding constraints for NGOs

Freedom of the Press

Freedom of the press is constitutionally guaranteed in São Tomé and Príncipe, but self-censorship is common due to government influence. The media sector is limited in size, and only 42% of the population has access to the internet.

Constitutional guarantee of freedom of the press
Self-censorship due to government influence
Limited media sector and internet access

Conclusion

Despite these challenges, São Tomé and Príncipe is working to strengthen its institutions and combat organized crime. International cooperation and assistance are crucial in supporting the country’s efforts to ensure a safer and more stable future for its citizens.