Research Catalog

The challenge of drug trafficking to democratic governance and human security in West Africa

Title
The challenge of drug trafficking to democratic governance and human security in West Africa / David E. Brown.
Author
Brown, David E. (David Edward)
Publication
Carlisle, PA : Strategic Studies Institute and U.S. Army War College Press, [2013]

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TextUse in library HV5840.A358 B76 2013Off-site

Details

Additional Authors
  • Army War College (U.S.). Strategic Studies Institute.
  • Army War College (U.S.). Press.
Description
xv, 84 pages; 23 cm.
Summary
International criminal networks mainly from Latin America and Africa -- some with links to terrorism -- are turning West Africa into a key global hub for the distribution, wholesaling, and production of illicit drugs. These groups represent an existential threat to democratic governance of already fragile states in the sub-region because they are using narco-corruption to stage coups d'état, hijack elections, and co-opt or buy political power. Besides a spike in drug-related crime, narcotics trafficking is also fraying West Africa's traditional social fabric and creating a public health crisis, with hundreds of thousands of new drug addicts. While the inflow of drug money may seem economically beneficial to West Africa in the short-term, investors will be less inclined to do business in the long-term if the sub-region is unstable. On net, drug trafficking and other illicit trade represent the most serious challenge to human security in the region since resource conflicts rocked several West African countries in the early 1990s. International aid to West Africa's "war on drugs" is only in an initial stage; progress will be have to be measured in decades or even generations, not years and also unfold in parallel with creating alternative sustainable livelihoods and addressing the longer-term challenges of human insecurity, poverty, and underdevelopment.
Series Statement
Letort papers
Uniform Title
Letort papers
Subject
  • Drug traffic > Africa, West
  • Drug control > Africa, West
  • Terrorism > Africa, West
  • Human security > Africa, West
  • Political stability > Africa, West
  • Africa, West > Politics and government
  • Africa, West > Social conditions
  • Africa, West > Economic conditions
Note
  • "May 2013."
Bibliography (note)
  • Includes bibliographical references (pages 64-84).
Additional Formats (note)
  • Also available online in PDF format from Strategic Studies Institute (SSI) web site.
Contents
Introduction : broad context of drug trafficking in West Africa -- History of drug trafficking in West Africa -- Latin American drug dealers partner with West African criminals -- Structure of West African DTOs -- Global drug trafficking routes via West Africa -- Link to terrorism : alliances between drug traffickers and terrorists -- Impact on good governance -- Impact on society -- Impact on the economy -- Ongoing programs--- the international community and the United States -- Impact of West African drug trafficking on U.S. national interests -- Conclusion : policy recommendations.
ISBN
  • 1584875682
  • 9781584875680
LCCN
2013433946
OCLC
  • ocn846582019
  • SCSB-1753539
Owning Institutions
Princeton University Library