São Tomé and Príncipe’s Organized Crime Landscape

Country Overview

São Tomé and Príncipe is a small island nation in West Africa with a fragile economy. Despite its relatively positive track record for upholding civil liberties and democratic norms, the country faces significant challenges in addressing organized crime.

Criminal Actors

Corruption: A significant issue that can exacerbate vulnerabilities, particularly in the judiciary.
Maritime Piracy: A threat due to the country’s location in the Gulf of Guinea.
Terrorism: A risk due to the country’s proximity to terrorism-prone regions.
Foreign Criminal Actors: Present in São Tomé and Príncipe, including risks related to money laundering and terrorist financing.

Law Enforcement

The law enforcement agency faces challenges in responding to and curbing criminality due to:

Lack of necessary equipment
Limited qualified human resources
Inadequate capacity to combat maritime crime

Economic and Financial Environment

While there is little evidence of large-scale illicit financial activity, such as money laundering, the country’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism protocol does not meet global standards.

Government initiatives exist to improve support for victims of organized crime, but:

There are no established assistance programs
NGOs face a lack of funding and restrictions on operating

Key Challenges

Corruption: Eroding trust in law enforcement
Limited Capacity: Inadequate response to maritime crime
Vulnerabilities: Exposed to money laundering and terrorist financing
Lack of Policy: No explicit organized crime prevention policy
Inadequate Support: Insufficient assistance for victims of organized crime

Conclusion

São Tomé and Príncipe faces significant challenges in addressing organized crime, including corruption, limited capacity, and vulnerabilities to financial crimes. Addressing these issues will require a coordinated effort from government agencies, civil society, and international partners.