Oil theft, security threat in West Africa

  1. Posted on Wednesday 8 July 2009 - 15:46
    Murtala
    Image of Murtala
    Murtala Kamara Mohammed, AfricaNews reporter in Freetown, Sierra Leone
    The UN Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said oil theft and smuggling poses the greatest security threat to the West African region "as it directly linked to insurgency and violence," according to their recent report. It said oil smuggling, diamonds and cigarettes continue to thrive in the region.
    west africa map
    The report stated that the region has witnessed a sharp reduction of drug trafficking in the region for onward distribution to the European market.

    According to the UNODC corruption continues to be prevalent among senior officials which according to the UN body undermine democracy and economic development, reported the BBC.

    In recent times, the West African region is known to be a transship point for South America drug traffickers for their onward distribution to European markets.

    The small West African state of Guinea Bissau particularly has been described in certain quarters as a failed state which is perhaps the most important transshipment point in the region with high placed officials implicated in drug trafficking trade.

    Similarly, Africa’s most populace nation, Nigeria loses some 55 million barrels of oil - nearly one-tenth of the country's annual production - every year through theft and smuggling. The illicit trade often leads to pollution.

    The report further revealed that West Africa has also become a major destination for electronic waste from Europe, such as old phones, computers and batteries, which is another threat to the environment.

    "Organised crime is plundering West Africa, destroying governments, the environment, human rights and health," said UNODC head Antonio Maria Costa.

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