Financial Crime World

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Financial Crime Prevention in Gambia: A Serious Concern

Gambia has been ranked 34th on the continent’s organized-crime levels by the Organized Crime Index 2019. Although financial crime is less prominent in Gambia compared to other African nations, it still poses a significant threat to the country and its citizens.

Criminal Networks and Corruption

According to experts, criminal networks that benefit from corrupt public officials are primarily responsible for running organized crime in Gambia. These networks are involved in various criminal activities, including:

  • Human trafficking
  • Forced labor
  • Sex trafficking

The cocaine market has a severe impact on nearly all aspects of society, with state officials colluding with organized-crime groups.

Criminal Markets

Gambia’s criminal markets include:

  • Human Trafficking: Gambia is both a source and destination country for trafficked persons, with forced labor and sexual exploitation being the most prevalent forms of human trafficking.
  • Flora Crimes: The country is plagued by timber trafficking, which was rampant under former President Jammeh.

Drugs Markets

The drugs markets in Gambia are well-established due to the country’s role as a transit state in the transnational trade. Gambia is a significant trans-shipment point for cocaine being trafficked from South America to European markets.

  • Cannabis: According to the Interior Minister, cannabis is the most problematic drug in Gambia, driving many of the country’s criminal activities.

Corruption

Corruption is rife in Gambia, particularly within law-enforcement bodies. State complicity in the country allows drug trafficking to persist, as groups operating in the market act with impunity.

  • Influence of Criminal Networks: Criminal networks are influential and drive major criminal markets in Gambia, including drugs, flora, and human trafficking.

Judicial System

Gambia’s judicial system is relatively competent compared to other African nations. The country has a functional judiciary, with a history of sourcing judges from other African countries to enhance its effectiveness.

  • Border Control: Gambia is working with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to build a national border-control system.
  • Immigration Border Patrol Unit: The border is managed by the Immigration Border Patrol Unit with the support of sister services.

Press Freedom

Gambia’s press freedom is at a critical juncture following the change in power from former President Yahya Jammeh to Barrow. The Media Legal Defence Initiative has achieved successes at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court, challenging laws used to silence and intimidate journalists in Gambia.

  • Repeal or Amendment of Laws: The judgment recognized that criminal laws on libel, sedition, and false news disproportionately interfere with the rights of Gambian journalists and directed that Gambia should immediately repeal or amend these laws in line with its obligations under international law.

Conclusion

While there have been improvements in anti-corruption initiatives and the strength of non-state actors operating in the country since the post-Jammeh era, there is still significant scope for improvement regarding measures to prevent financial crime and support victims and witnesses. Until 2016, Jammeh emasculated civil society organizations in Gambia, including the media. However, there is greater freedom under the current government, but major deficiencies remain in victim and witness support, particularly for victims of human trafficking.