By Saa Matthias BENDU & Hindowa E. Saidu
In the past decade, the United Nations has come to recognize the relationship between political instability and organized crime, particularly drug trafficking. The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime came into effect in late 2003. One of the core activities of organized transnational criminal gangs – drug-trafficking – has major security implications. In some regions, the huge profits generated through this activity even rivals the GDP of some countries, thus threatening state authority, economic development and the rule of law.
It is an open secret that drugs played a great role during Sierra Leones’ 11 years of brutal war. Various types of drugs were administered to fighters on both sides of our conflict, but especially on the RUF fighters. That accounts for the fact that to date one cannot comprehend the heinous crimes perpetrated by the rebels against their own people including parents and relatives.
Taking up this challenge, UN Secretary-General Ban Kimoon, speaking at the African Union summit in January 2010, concluded thus: “Drug-trafficking is…a rising threat to international peace and security in Africa.” And in February 2010, the Security Council noted with concern “the serious threats posed in some cases by drug-trafficking and transnational organized crime, to international security in different regions of the world”.
Countries where insurgents and illegal armed groups draw funds from taxing, or even managing drug production and trafficking are susceptible to the instability. The second concerns countries that do not face such a situation, but where the drug-traffickers become powerful enough to take on the state through violent confrontation, high-level corruption, or (usually) both.
Drug-trafficking is problematic for any country it is happening in, but it can become particularly destabilizing where there are pre-existing governance issues. The small size of the local economy relative to the value of the drug flow can also make a very bad situation worse. But the two are often related: governments in countries with small economies may have trouble asserting their authority over their sovereign territory or developing remote areas of the country. As it is in Sierra Leone prolonged instability can also keep economies from growing. This is why the focus has increasingly been on Africa, a continent where there are many poor and unstable countries. But also a continent where, for a variety of reasons, the worst effect of drug-trafficking has not yet been experienced.
When drug routes pass though African soil, like the recent flow of cocaine through West Africa, the international community is rightly concerned. Of course, drug-trafficking is not unique in this respect. The money gained through all forms of organized crime can cause trouble, and smuggling of contraband (such as cigarettes, diamonds, timber or oil) has been a mainstay of rebel financing for decades. In Sierra Leone it was diamonds. But the drugs markets are simply worth more money than those of other contraband goods, and since they are illicit, drugs remain unambiguously the domain of organized criminals.
It is also true that certain types of drugs are more relevant than others. Cannabis and synthetic drugs are produced almost everywhere, so there is limited need for trans-regional trafficking. Cannabis has been suggested as a source of funding for rebel movements in regions such as Casamance in Senegal. Currently, in Sierra Leone cannabis is cultivated in all the districts but Bonthe, and most people from various backgrounds are involved in the cultivation and trade. Currently some senior police officers are in court for trying to traffic large quantities of cannabis to Guinea.
In 2009, an estimated 13 tonnes of the cocaine trafficked via West Africa was consumed or stored in the region, giving rise to serious concerns over drugs-related health. The gross profits derived from the wholesale and retail of cocaine in the region are huge. An estimated $800 million was spent on illicit drugs in West Africa in 2009 alone. In Sierra Leone, some sources reveal that 40% is consumed of whatever tons of drugs that pass through the country. It is factual that the unbearable economic hardship in Sierra Leone has created a reserve army of people ready to fully cooperate with drugs barons, as shortcut to easily get out of endemic poverty forced on them by corrupt and greedy politicians for the past 51 years.
When we, by sheer chance, seized a plane loaded with 600 kilograms of cocaine (with the street value of US$ 54 million) there were no existing laws to try the perpetrators. Government thought it wise to speedily pass the National drugs control Act. Prior to that enactment, government had established the office of a National drugs law enforcement agency in 2004, because of the devastating role drugs played during the 11 years war. When the NDLEA was established the first man who headed the office, Kandeh Bangura, was indeed a perfect gentle man, who was always committed to duty. During his tenure in office he made tremendous strides.
Sadly, since his departure the agency has become something else. His cooperation, if at all, with all Non governmental bodies and even the United Nations Office on Drugs in Crime (UNODC), Transnational Organized Crime Unit – TOCU and UNIPSIL is at all-time ebb.
The man in charge, SIM Turay, even turned down planning for the commemoration of international drugs and illicit trafficking day, observed on the 26 June every year saying he was not ready to beg any organization for funds. He later called and apologized to some people that were part of the team and promised to collaborate by participating in subsequent meetings. However he did not attend any meeting and did not participate in the day’s activities – the parade from George Street to the National Stadium.
We are all aware that the fight against drug is no child’s play, especially now that West Africa is currently under siege by powerful drug barons who want to transform the region into a gateway for drug-trafficking. The director of NDLEA is also at loggerheads with the Minister of Internal Affairs, who supervises the Agency. He is not in cordial relation with the NDLEA advisory broad. One wonders who this man is really working for. Unfortunately the ineptitude of the Parliamentary body charged with its oversight responsibility has given SIM Turay a field day.
We are calling on government, donor partners and all well-meaning friends of Sierra Leone to pay attention to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency to be committed to its mandate, to avoid Sierra Leone becoming a rogue or Narco state. We therefore appeal to you, not only to agree on a Political Declaration, set up institutions to fight drugs and or enact anti-drugs laws, but also to follow up those words and laws with robust actions that will drive the traffickers from the shores of Sierra Leone. Set the tone from the top that will strengthen integrity. Take the steps needed to strengthen the rule of law. Hold to account - and bring to justice - those who collaborate with criminal groups. Create more opportunities for youth.
The international community should give adequate budget, technical assistance to local non-governmental organizational organizations complimenting government’s efforts in the fight against drugs in Sierra Leone. This will lower the impact of drugs and its attendant ramifications in Sierra Leone. We hope someone is listening!!
The Authors work for the Foundation for Democratic Initiatives and Development Sierra Leone FDID-SL
