Africa and the Global Illicit Economy

We start in North Africa and the Sahel where we will give you a comprehensive overview of some of the major illicit markets in the region, before in future episodes taking a more in depth look at the nuances within the illicit economy in Africa.

In this episode we will discuss the journey taken by human smugglers and migrants travelling through the Sahel region and how that has been impacted by COVID-19.

Before moving onto Libya, the departure point for many of those trying to get to Europe. Where COVID has combined with an ongoing war to make life even more difficult for migrants.

And finally, we'll look at the drug production and trafficking region of the Maghreb, on the doorstep of the European illicit drug market.

#AfricaTOC

Presenter

Lindy Mtongana

Guests

Alexandre Bish - Senior Analyst at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.

Rebecca Murray, Senior Analyst at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.

Mark Micallef, Director of the North Africa and Sahel Observatory at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.

Matt Herbet, Senior Analyst with the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.

GI's Risk Bulletin

While international media reported a decrease in gang activity during COVID19 lockdowns in Kenya and South Africa, GI research has uncovered that they have simply shifted strategy. This week’s episode covers a special report on how gangs are recruiting out of school youth in growing numbers and how they are used for illicit activities.

Presenter: Lindy Mtongana

Speakers

Julia Stanyard, Analyst, Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime

Joyce Kimani, Observatory Coordinator for East and Horn of Africa, Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime

Rukshana Parker, Analyst, Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime

Reading: Risk Bulletin 11

Additional Links

Cape Town gangs help feed poor devastated by lockdown

South Africa’s strict pandemic response could give criminal gangs an unexpected boost

How school closures during COVID-19 further marginalize vulnerable children in Kenya

Producer: Alexandria Sahai-Williams

In this week’s episode of Africa and the Global Illicit Economy, we uncover how unchecked corruption and illicit industries fuelled the discontent that led to Mali’s recent coup.

Presenter: Lindy Mtongana

Speakers:

Dr Bréma Ely Dicko - Malian sociologist and anthropologist, former head of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Human Sciences of Bamako

Peter Tinti - Journalist & Senior Research Fellow, Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime

Philip Obaji Jr - Journalist, activist, and founder of 1 GAME: Football without Violence initiative.

Producer: Alexandria Sahai-Williams

Background

Q&A: The military coup in Mali

BBC: Mali coup: Thousands take to Bamako streets to celebrate

In this week’s episode of Africa and the Global Illicit Economy, we take a look at current trends in organised crime in East and Southern Africa --- From the illicit smuggling of arms and ammunition from Yemen to Somalia; the worrying rise of high-profile kidnappings in Mozambique; and the possible emergence of an organised illicit trade in donkey skins from Kenya.

Presenter: Lindy Mtongana

Speakers

Estacio Valoi - Investigative journalist based in Mozambique.

Samantha Opere - Samantha Opere is a Veterinary Surgeon and Project Manager at Kenya Network for Dissemination of Agricultural Technologies.

Jay Bahadur - author of The Pirates of Somalia and guest editor of the Global Initiative's East and Southern Africa Risk Bulletin.

ESAOBS Risk Bulletin

Producer: Alexandria Sahai-Williams

In this episode we explore push factors for surging levels of migration from the Maghreb in early 2020, and how Moroccan social media star, who goes by the name Zizou Vlogs, is lending a new voice to the changing face of irregular migration.

Presenter: Lindy Mtongana

Guests:

Matt Herbert, Senior Ana­­­­lyst with the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime

Amine Ghoulidi, King's College London

Producer: Alexandria Sahai-Williams

Reading material

Wired - On YouTube, vloggers are teaching people how to migrate illegally

Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime