🧐 How effective are #sanctions in combating #organizedcrime and political instability? We explore the impact sanctions have had in Guinea-Bissau 🇬🇼, a crucial node in international cocaine trafficking. Read our new report in the sanctions series 👉buff.ly/48Qpdne

2/ The Organized Crime Resilience Framework examines the West African region's major organized crime threats. Read our first deep dive now 🔍 buff.ly/493m4AT @gizNIG_ECOWAS @unodc ICMPD MAG (Mines Advisory Group) @undp ISS ECOWAS Development Partners CoordinationCell-EDPCC European Commission GermanForeignOffice

1/ 🌤️ As communities in #WestAfrica are hit by the impacts of #climatechange, they resort to organized crime as a survival mechanism. Learn how this develops in Senegal🇸🇳 in our second #OCRF deep dive, under #OCWAR_T, supporting the ECOWAS Commission ⬇️ buff.ly/3U8hoFp

📊There’s an increasing link between conflict zones and illicit activities in #WestAfrica. Understanding the intersection between illicit economies and conflict is fundamental for effective stabilization measures. Read more in the risk bulletin ➡️ buff.ly/3vP75fo

1/ 🌍 West African nations, particularly Ghana, are redefining drug policies amidst rising drug market harms. Ghana leads with innovative approaches, marking a significant shift in regional drug regulations. buff.ly/3w81pNB

From transit point to market: #WestAfrica faces a surge in #cocaine and #syntheticdrugs. The region is grappling with the challenge, with #Ghana 🇬🇭 pioneering in #drugpolicy reforms. Read the full report now 👉 buff.ly/3w81pNB

🌐 Learn about the overlooked complexities of the Chad-Cameroon-CAR tri-border. Amidst regional turmoil, Cameroon emerges as a vital trade route. This paper exposes alarming illicit activities, arms trafficking patterns, and the ensuing violence 🌍🔍 buff.ly/3NWFq2i

#Syntheticdrugs are increasingly harming #WestAfrica. With low entry barriers and flexible supply chains, criminal actors find them attractive. Learn more on our latest #OCWAR_T report. buff.ly/49l4YPh

Despite sanctions, #GuineaBissau's illicit economies, particularly #cocainetrafficking, continue to thrive. In our latest report in the #sanctions series, we analyze how to disrupt illicit networks while considering the political and economic contexts. ➡️buff.ly/4bNabRQ

⛏️ Gold mining has significantly increased in #WestAfrica. Following several recent coups, extremist groups, and #organizedcrime networks target artisanal and small-scale miners, who are also affected by corruption. 🔈Listen to the full podcast now: buff.ly/3SF1ekE

2/ Read more about the reasons behind the shift in the mode of smuggling from land to sea in our latest report 👇 buff.ly/3IeCzOQ

Self-defence groups are reshaping security concerns in #WestAfrica. Our latest #OCWAR_T report delves into their impact on local communities and the challenges they pose. Read more about the complexities of these groups here ➡️ buff.ly/493m4AT

🇧🇯 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗺: 𝗞𝗶𝗱𝗻𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻 Since the end of 2021, kidnappings have escalated rapidly. Our latest report on the recent surge in kidnapping in northern Benin is now out. globalinitiative.net/analysis/hosta…

Sanctions must be tailored to on-the ground dynamics - the Sahel's kidnapping industry is driving harm, and the violent extremist group JNIM is a key perpetrator - but suffering is concentrated in local communities. Read more 👇 globalinitiative.net/analysis/us-sa…

🗓️ 10 July | 3 PM CEST Together with ACLED we will present a report on armed banditry in North West Nigeria 🇳🇬 Dive into the evolution, structure, and illicit economies of these groups. Register to join the conversation: buff.ly/3VGV84H

🚨 Kush, a synthetic drug with lethal consequences, is spreading rapidly in #WestAfrica. Our latest report reveals its deadly composition, trafficking routes & urgent recommendations to curb the crisis. Read more: buff.ly/3XiPqaZ lucia | Clingendael Institute

1/ 🚨 Since 2023, resurging cocaine routes through the Sahel have been disrupted by conflict and coups. From mid 2023, Niger’s coup, and resurgence of violence in northern Mali, presented new obstacles to traffickers. But the trade isn’t stopping – it’s adapting 🧵👇

2/ Smugglers are adapting to operate in the changing landscape. Key drug smugglers in Niger, where cocaine flows are particularly impacted, are pivoting to gold. In Mali, some smugglers have simply rerouted cargos away from conflict areas.

3/ Meanwhile, substantial cocaine flows through southern Mali are linked to maritime routes. Cocaine offloaded in Guinea and Sierra Leone is being moved through Mali into Senegal, likely for export.

4/ What’s next? Volatile conflict dynamics in the Sahel are likely to continue making maritime routings for cocaine trafficking the safer option. 👉Full story here: buff.ly/Ugp5G0M