West Africa: Drugs Money, Too Large to Handle

Guinea Bissua, is prototypical of what West Africa may become if a holistic involvement is not engaged by all governments, local people, foreign nations and international organizations.

Guinea, one of the smallest West African countries, about 1.5 million populations, had become a hub to illicit narcotic business from South America.

Drug trafficking returns is a high temptation, too difficult to resist within this greatly impoverished nation. Furthermore, drug consumption invariably stepped in with its attendant, destructive social consequences.

The willingness among the nationals to comprehend with the evil implication in dealing and consumption of illicit narcotic drugs is very remote. Also, the alluring influence of rich drug money is quite overwhelming.

The narcotic trade in this country is getting out of hand with each passing day. The nation is in a crocodile-like jaw situation with the powerful drug Barons using the country as a global narcotic clearing house.

The security agencies are quite incapable to confront the trade, being plagued with warfare and political instability. In March, Guinea Bissua’s soldiers gunned down the country’s veteran president Joao Bernardo Vieira, who the military accused of being instrumental to the turmoil in which the army chief was killed in a bomb attack. It was believed that the coup in that country was blamed on Colombian drug trade.

The nation’s security is not just being helpless because of its incapacitation, to confront the more powerful drug Barons but its act of aiding and involvement in narcotic smuggling.

The returns on narcotic trade in the country are more than all other product combined.The  c ountry has a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 461 million dollars-175th poorest nations in the list of 179 nations. It cannot stand the effects of huge financial returns from illicit drug trafficking.

The government structures are in the hands of the Barons, as government officials are hand in glove with drug-aiding drug smuggling.

Ousmane Conte, the son of Guinea’s late president, Lansana Conte, confessed to his role in organized drug smuggling ring in West Africa for years. Also, he admitted some former senior officials are taking part in the trade. Conte, stressed that he was just one of the errand boys in the ring not the god-father. Conte, spoke after being arrested by the security. Others arrested for being in team of alleged Colombian drug lords that trans-ship millions of dollar worth of cocaine through West Africa en-route to Europe includes, Judges, National police officers, officers of Economic and Financial Crime unit, and former head of the Federal Highways division.

Captain Camara who took over power after the military coup had stepped up fight against drug smuggling. But many believe that is to settle political scores. But how far he could go with the huge bulk of mess was predictable. However, Guinea has just elected a new president, Mallam Bacai Sanha. It is not certain how committed the incoming president would be on the fight against drug smuggling. At this period, Guinea Bissau is a drug vulnerable state, as it is faced with weak economics, corrupt senior officials, increasing rate of drug addiction and drugs related criminalities on the increase.

It is not only what happens to Guinea Bissau but, what happens to its neighbours and international community, particularly, Europe, due to its activities. European nations who their drug consumptions are fueled by the activities of drug Barons and traffickers in Guinea Bissau are worse for it. Guinea Bissau, as I said earlier is just a sample of what West Africa may become, or it has become. No West African country had up to US$1000 income per capita. And every other vulnerable pointer in Guinea is evident in other West African Nations. A UN official once said, “West Africa is an ungoverned space and permissive environment.”