Source: UOL - SP, 09/07/2009

New York, July 9 (Lusa) - The West African Economic Community (ECOWAS), Interpol and the United Nations, including the department of peacekeeping operations, have launched a joint initiative to combat trafficking, mainly of drugs, through countries like Guinea-Bissau.

The West Africa Coast Initiative "aims to end the porosity of West African borders, with weak governance and corruption, which allow drug traffickers to operate in an environment of impunity," says the UN.

According to the study “International Smuggling and the Rule of Law in West Africa - An Assessment of Threats”, this week released by the United Nations Department against Drugs and Crime (UNODC), illegal trafficking in people, drugs, oil, tobacco , fake drugs, industrial waste and diamonds is making West Africa a gold mine for international organized crime.

"West Africa has everything criminality needs: resources, strategic location, weak governments and an unlimited number of soldiers who see few viable alternatives to a criminal life," says António Maria Costa, director of UNODC.

The UN estimates that trafficking generates annual revenues of around US $ 1 billion. For example, the $ 438 million obtained from smuggling 45 million fake antimalarial pills exceeds Guinea-Bissau's GDP.

In the case of some countries, the value of trafficking exceeds all the wealth generated officially.

“We are going to focus on post-conflict situations”, especially in Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone, says Costa.

Guinea-Conakry, too, may soon be involved if it holds free and democratic elections.

The UN estimates that in 2006 a quarter of the cocaine consumed in Europe (about 40 tonnes) passed through West Africa.

These numbers have declined over the past 18 months, which is the only positive aspect of this report in relation to illegal smuggling in this part of the African continent.

In addition, in West Africa, between 50% and 60% of medicines are fake and up to 80% of cigarettes are smuggled, estimates the UN.

In Nigeria, about 55 million barrels of oil are diverted from legal circulation annually and the money resulting from the activity ends up in the hands of criminal groups and secessionist guerrillas, according to the report.

There are 30 armed groups in the region and more than two million uncontrolled weapons, a deal valued at $ 170 million.