Central Africa
Central Africa is a region with tremendous potential for economic and social growth. Throughout the last decade, the region has experienced several internal and external conflicts and crises. Transnational organized crime (TOC), terrorism, and corruption have flourished in an environment of fragility and often contestation of state authority.
The absence of state authorities along many of the borders has facilitated the development of illicit trafficking between countries and local communities. Among these are wildlife, forest, and natural resources-related crimes; illegal drugs and arms trafficking; piracy and maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea. These crimes are committed by criminal groups but also armed groups such as the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and Boko Haram.
Furthermore, changes in climate conditions and uncontrolled demographic growth in the region are impacting the seasonal moves of transhumant pastoralists, which in turn leads to increased tensions with other social groups, increased food insecurity and higher levels of internal displacement that inevitably spark further insecurity and instability in the region.
