Criminal bandit gang in Birnin Magaji, Zamfara State. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Murtala Rufa’i)
Throughout West Africa, popular conceptions of state legitimacy shape illicit economies and present obstacles to effective organized crime responses. When state power and policies are seen as illegitimate, challenges to government authority emerge and illicit markets tied to conflict, terrorism, and narcotics trafficking proliferate. To engage with communities more effectively, states should rethink their approach to criminalization and work to shrink criminal space and markets. They must also be sensitive to local conceptions of crime, legitimacy, and the wider human security challenges that populations face. Government must work with civil society to improve resilience, accountability, and give a voice to vulnerable populations most affected by crime.
Read the Paper
Security Topics: Combating Organized Crime