Gabon’s Struggle Against Organized Crime: Key Findings from the 2023 Report

Corruption Wrecks Institutions

• Corruption is widespread in Gabon, with limited trust in institutions and a lack of separation of powers.
• The judiciary is not effective in investigating and prosecuting cases, particularly those related to human trafficking.

A Weak Judicial System

• The judiciary lacks capacity to effectively investigate and prosecute cases related to organized crime.
• There are no dedicated units to counter organized crime, but security forces receive training to combat specific activities like resource exploitation and drug trafficking.

Vulnerable Borders

• Gabon’s borders, especially with Cameroon, are vulnerable to corruption and smuggling.
• The economic and financial environment is also a concern, with mechanisms in place to curb money laundering but lacking capacity to investigate and prosecute cases.

Civil Society Takes Action

• Civil society organizations operate shelters for human trafficking victims and work on anti-wildlife trafficking and fisheries issues.
• These organizations play a crucial role in combating organized crime in Gabon.

A Restricted Media Landscape

• Press freedom has eroded, with journalists self-censoring due to intimidation and legal repercussions.
• This restriction of the media landscape hinders efforts to combat organized crime by limiting access to information and transparency.