Illicit Drug Trafficking in West Africa The Contending Issues and Way forward

Abstract

The advent of the 21st century which coincided with the return to democracy in West Africa has brought with it different security challenges that have continued to threaten the existence of states in West Africa. One of these challenges is the rising phenomenon of illicit drug trafficking across the West African Sub-region. These drugs, which include cannabis, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and non-medical use drugs like tramadol and cough mixtures with codeine (apart from Cannabis which is grown in the region) are smuggled into the region by drug cartels from South America. Thus, transforming the region into a commercial hub of illicit drugs. Using the linkage theory to explain the interaction between the internal and external dynamics facilitating illicit drug trade in the region and their effect on regional and national policies on illicit drugs in the sub-region. The paper revealed that illicit drug traffickers have penetrated government institutions, established their footholds in the region and exploited the already weak governance systems and loopholes to establish themselves. The paper concludes amongst other recommendations that ECOWAS should ensure member-states' commitment towards implementing the existing anti-drug instruments and other related instruments aimed at containing illicit drug trafficking in the Sub-region. National Governments should also actively confront the political and governance challenges that incite corruption within the government and security agencies that the drug traffickers exploit. The paper dwells mainly on secondary data and the use of content analysis as its Research technique.