Comoros: State Actors Facilitate Human Trafficking and Drug Trade, International Syndicates Take Center Stage

A Report Reveals the Alarming Truth About Organized Crime in Comoros Islands

A recent report by international investigators has shed light on the significant role state actors play in facilitating human trafficking and drug trade in the Comoros Islands. The investigation also highlights how international syndicates are responsible for transporting people to and from the islands.

Key Findings

Tanzanian actors are predominantly involved in drug trafficking.
Madagascan nationals are suspected of facilitating vanilla smuggling.
Comorian nationals play a significant role in importing drugs and tortoises from Madagascar, but not in domestic distribution.
There appears to be no mafia groups or equivalents operating on the islands, allowing international syndicates to fill the vacuum.

Governance Crisis

The Comoros government has been criticized for its lack of effort to curb organized crime. The country’s fragile state and political crisis have diverted attention from tackling illegal activities.

The 2018 referendum, which extended the presidential term and concentrated power, was boycotted by many voters and sparked concerns over vote rigging.
The country’s corruption perception is among the highest globally, with observers describing it as an emerging dictatorship.
International treaties related to organized crime have been signed, but the EU has labeled the Comoros as non-cooperative due to its insufficient efforts to combat illegal fishing.

Justice System in Shambles

The courts in the Comoros are underresourced and overburdened. Political interference from the executive contributes to a perception of weak enforcement and endemic corruption.

The judiciary is plagued by issues of training and corruption among members of the legal profession.
Law enforcement agencies have been criticized for colluding with criminal networks, actively facilitating illegal activities.
The rule of law is weak, and authorities show little interest in improving standards or tackling corruption and criminal facilitation.

Economic and Financial Environment

The financial system in the Comoros is underdeveloped, making it difficult to estimate proceeds from illicit activities. However, this has also limited the opportunities for sophisticated financial crimes.

Money laundering is criminalized, but policies are poorly implemented, and systems for identifying instances of money laundering are weak.
The business environment is poor, with entrepreneurs unsupported and most citizens employed in the informal sector.

Victims of organized crime receive insufficient support. Human trafficking victims often housed by government employees due to lack of resources.

There is no support available for drug users, and civil society organizations rely on private funding and struggle to access adequate resources.
The government’s efforts to prevent organized crime are minimal, with limited arrests and no apparent targeting of high-level operators.
Repressive measures have been taken against civil society organizations and media outlets, contributing to a deteriorating environment for journalists and freedom of press.