The United Nations (UN) has expressed support for the West Africa Coast Initiative (WACI) to stem illicit trafficking and transnational crime in the region.
“Today, West Africa is not just a transit route for drug traffickers; it is also a growing destination. Rising consumption aggravates an already challenging public health environment and threatens socioeconomic development”, the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon said in a message, delivered by Said Djinnit, the UN Special Representative for West Africa, to the High-level WACI Donor Conference, in New York.
“Drug trafficking and transnational organized crime threaten security, undermine respect for the rule of law and human rights, and jeopardize peace, stability and development” , he said, pointing out that “in a growing number of countries, organized criminal networks also fuel the activities of terrorist and extremist groups”.
Furthermore, the UN Secretary General identified corruption, porous borders and the lack of resources and cooperation as only compounding the problem.
The Secretary General expressed the United Nations support for the efforts of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) and it’s member States through the Regional Action Plan to stem illicit trafficking and transnational crime and the International donor support.
To this end, Mr. Ban Ki-moon commended the West Africa Coast Initiative (WACI) countries’ engagement and the international donor partners’ support, saying ” I urge you to continue building on your work in the spirit of shared responsibility”.
Mr. Yury Fedotov, UN Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) Executive Director earlier said: “We simply cannot afford to stand by while drugs, crime, corruption and terrorism devastate this already vulnerable region, and threaten international peace and security.”
Drugs, crime and terrorism represent some of the greatest threats to security and development in West Africa. Illicit drugs, including heroin and cocaine, are heavily trafficked in the region.
He said around 33 tonnes of cocaine flowed through West Africa in 2010 and 18 tonnes were shipped to Europe, for an estimated value of $1.25 billion.
“Local manufacture of methamphetamines is booming with 1,250 kg of amphetamines seized in Côte d’Ivoire in 2013, and 227 kg seized in Nigeria between June 2012 and July 2013. The growth in illicit drugs is also fuelling public health and safety concerns, and HIV infections among injecting drug users appear to be increasing.
Conference participants heard that the WACI strategy had been revised to build far greater connectivity among transnational crime units (TCUs) in West Africa.
The high-level donor event was attended by ministers and representatives of Member States who made interventions supporting the initiative. New pledges to the WACI were announced.
WACI was launched in 2009 by UNODC, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the Department of Political Affairs/UN Office for West Africa and INTERPOL. It is designed to support the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its Member States, as well as assist national and regional efforts in tackling the threats of drugs, crime and terrorism.
Source: ISD (R. Harry Reynolds, Ghana Mission, New York)
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