The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) says organised crime poses a serious threat to the stability of West Africa. The head of the organisation, Antonio Costa, says the region has suffered badly from the effects of the illegal trade in weapons, drugs, cigarettes, women, weapons and medicine.

Mr Costa added that even though the quantity of drugs smuggled out of the area has decreased, West Africa remains an important transit port for the global drug trade. The smuggling and theft of oil is also a major problem because it finances armed rebellions.

Mr Costa says West Africa contains everything criminals need:  “A strategic location, weak governments and many men with few possibilities in life other than criminality.”

He called on rich countries to take their share of responsibility for opposing the demand for drugs, cheap labour and exotic goods. He also called for an end to West Africa being used as a dumping ground for weapons, waste products and counterfeit medicines.

Phot of the United Nations building by wallyg (flickr)