Combating Narco-Terrorism in West Africa
Abstract
Since 2001, Africa has steadily gained strategic importance to the United States' national security interests. Vital humanitarian, security, and economic interests, including long-term access to energy in West Africa, are at risk. Inadequate border and maritime security create a permissive environment for drug cartels and terrorists to operate and find safe haven. West Africa's strategic location, lack of governance, high corruption, and porous borders attract drug traffickers, international terrorists, and transnational criminals. Many of its states have failed because they lack effective government institutions, and those institutions are coupled with corruption. Poverty and lack of opportunities for West African youth have enabled drug traffickers and terrorists to recruit many discontented people. The combination of these factors has caused West Africa to become an ideal transit site for illegal narcotics trafficking and a fertile ground for terrorist operations. This paper examines the relationship between drug trafficking and terrorism in West Africa. It is in the United States' interests to combat this emerging threat in West Africa, with United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM) taking the lead to improve security in this region.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 15, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA562350
Entities
People
- Roy C. Sevalia
Organizations
- National Defense University