Understanding The relationship between Transnational Organized Crime and Conflict

The relationship between transnational organized crime and conflict cannot be fully exhausted without understanding its meaning, its forms, its threat and how it facilitates or fuels conflict and vice versa.

Giving us a brief history, the legal definition of transnational crimes comes from the United Nations Convention Against Organized crime (UNTOC) or Palermo convention, because it was concluded in Italy. According to Article 3 sub article 2 of this convention, an offense is considered transnational if it satisfies a number of these four alternatives, according to Dr. Constance Gikonyo an advocate and senior lecturer at the university of Nairobi.  “If a crime is committed in more than one state it is transnational, or if an offense is committed in one state but a substantial part of its preparation, planning direction or control takes place in another state, or if an offense is committed in one state but involves an organized criminal group that undertakes offenses in more than one state and lastly if an offense is committed in one state but has substantial effects in another state. In a layman’s language it can be defined as an offense committed or carried out in more than one state.”

Citing examples from Africa and beyond, it is evident that transnational organized crimes have led to economic impact and eventually the collapse of states. They have been detrimental to economies of different countries. In his own words, Dr Uche Igwe a renowned commentator on Contemporary Issues of African Politics and Governance based in London, stresses that transnational crimes are the fuel of conflict. Criminal networks fuel terrorism, and it is through these networks that that illicit financial flows happen. A case in point is in the Niger Delta region, where there is oil bunkering. It is an illegal act. Crude oil is taken illegally from Nigeria through the shores of the Niger Delta river, research has proven beyond reasonable doubt that the same route through which illicit oil is transported is the same route through which weapons are transported back into the same country.  That has led to direct implications on conflict. Not forgetting the presence of the Boko Haram in the North East of Nigeria. It is through the same networks that even terrorists get funding.

The major threat of organized crime in any given state is human security. Conflict results into weak government structures where there is breakdown of law and order, displacement of populations, the TOCs, the transnational organized criminal groups, will exploit these vulnerabilities and help establish themselves in conflict affected regions. Mr Akizi Egnim Akala a former Interpol personnel and currently deputy regional coordinator SEACOP program, west Africa explains how this, without doubt, is evident. For instance, counterfeiting and drug trafficking. Counterfeits are taken into countries illicitly without paying taxes, that will mean tax evasion by the state. Tax evasion means reduced investments and diminished tax revenues for the government.  The state will eventually become fragile which in the end affects the entire world in one way or the other.

Transnational organized crime facilitates conflict. The endless conflict in the democratic republic of Congo is for instance one example of many organized crime groups causing insecurity in the mineral rich areas of the country. Another example is the thee failed coup d’état in guinea Bissau after organized crime group of drug traffickers and weapon traffickers. It is said that the coup happened because the president elect had been fighting hard to stop all these illegalities. The ungoverned areas in the desert of Mali for the longest time acted as a regrouping place for organized crimes for even the states close. The former LRA rebels in Central Africa Republic have not only caused insurgencies in the area but also done more harm to the wildlife of Garamba National Park killing elephants for their tusks

In conclusion most of Africa’s emerging security threats are transnational in scope. Transnational crime is a problem for the political, economic and social development of a country. We as the civil society should continue to raise awareness about it, continue doing research while the government also plays its role as the main institution of any given country.