The challenge of drug trafficking to democratic governance and human security in West Africa
By: David E. Brown
Contributors: Army War College (U.S.). Strategic Studies Institute; Army War College (U.S.). Press
Series: Letort papers; Letort papers
Publisher: Strategic Studies Institute and U.S. Army War College Press
Published: 2013
Place of publication: Carlisle, PA
Language: eng
Number of pages: 84
ISBN-13: 9781584875680
Subjects: Drug traffic; Drug control; Terrorism; Human security; Political stability; Politics and government; Social conditions; Economic conditions
Description: International criminal networks mainly from Latin America and Africa -- some with links to terrorism -- are turning West Africa into a key global hub for the distribution, wholesaling, and production of illicit drugs. These groups represent an existential threat to democratic governance of already fragile states in the sub-region because they are using narco-corruption to stage coups d'état, hijack elections, and co-opt or buy political power. Besides a spike in drug-related crime, narcotics trafficking is also fraying West Africa's traditional social fabric and creating a public health crisis, with hundreds of thousands of new drug addicts. While the inflow of drug money may seem economically beneficial to West Africa in the short-term, investors will be less inclined to do business in the long-term if the sub-region is unstable. On net, drug trafficking and other illicit trade represent the most serious challenge to human security in the region since resource conflicts rocked several West African countries in the early 1990s. International aid to West Africa's "war on drugs" is only in an initial stage; progress will be have to be measured in decades or even generations, not years and also unfold in parallel with creating alternative sustainable livelihoods and addressing the longer-term challenges of human insecurity, poverty, and underdevelopment.
Notes: "May 2013."

Includes bibliographical references (pages 64-84).

Also available online in PDF format from Strategic Studies Institute (SSI) web site.
Table of contents: title: Introduction : broad context of drug trafficking in West Africa; title: History of drug trafficking in West Africa; title: Latin American drug dealers partner with West African criminals; title: Structure of West African DTOs; title: Global drug trafficking routes via West Africa; title: Link to terrorism : alliances between drug traffickers and terrorists; title: Impact on good governance; title: Impact on society; title: Impact on the economy; title: Ongoing programs; title: - the international community and the United States; title: Impact of West African drug trafficking on U.S. national interests; title: Conclusion : policy recommendations.