Gold, guns and instability: transnational organised crime in East Africa

New research suggests that over the past year, instability in the region has fuelled transnational organised crime.

East Africa is reeling from civil war in Sudan, a shaky peace deal in Ethiopia, al-Shabaab attacks in Somalia in response to a counter-offensive against the terror group, various humanitarian crises that have displaced millions, and public protests in Kenya against rises in the cost of living and taxes.

These developments undermine political leadership and governance and may embolden organised crime networks and corrupt government officials to expand their activities across the region.

Moderator: Halkano Wario, Regional Organised Crime Observatory Coordinator, ENACT, ISS Nairobi

Panelists:

  • EU representative (opening remarks)
  • Kouassi Yeboua, Senior Researcher, African Futures and Innovation, ISS Pretoria
  • Rumbi Matamba, Analyst, East and Southern Africa Observatory, Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime
  • Willis Okumu, Senior Researcher, ENACT, ISS Nairobi
  • Tadesse Simie Metekia, Senior Researcher, ENACT, ISS Addis Ababa
  • Analyst, Crime Analysis Unit, Uganda Police
  • Ken Opala, Analyst, East and Southern Africa Observatory, Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime
Development partners
ENACT is funded by the European Union and implemented by the Institute for Security Studies in partnership with INTERPOL and the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime. The ISS is also grateful for support from the members of the ISS Partnership Forum: the Hanns Seidel Foundation, the European Union, the Open Society Foundations and the governments of Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.
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