The Sahara and the West Sahel region of Africa have long captured the Western imagination, known for their vast landscapes and rich cultural heritage. However, in recent decades, these areas have become synonymous with violence, instability, and crime. The early 1990s marked a turning point for the Sahel region. Following the coup in Algeria, which banned the Islamic Salvation Front (ISF) after it won the elections, the country plunged into violence. This period saw the emergence of jihadist groups that later spread across the Sahara and the Sahel. The Arab Spring, coupled with the Libyan Civil War and the fall of Muammar Gaddafi, further destabilized the region. The power vacuum left by Gaddafi’s ousting allowed armed groups, including jihadists and criminal networks, to flourish, turning the Sahara into a fragile zone.
The international jihadist-mafia circuit
Narcoterrorism refers to the use of drug trafficking to fund and support terrorist activities. This term was originally coined in the context of Latin American drug cartels, particularly in Colombia, where groups like the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) used drug trafficking profits to finance their insurgency. Over time, narcoterrorism has evolved to describe the symbiotic relationship between global terrorist networks and the illegal drug trade, highlighting how terrorist organizations exploit the lucrative drug market to sustain their operations.
The Sahara has become a focal point in the global narcoterrorism network, with a complex web of relationships connecting South American drug cartels, European mafias, and jihadist groups. This criminal alliance is rooted in a history of cooperation between Marxist liberation movements and criminal organizations. In South America, groups like FARC have long trafficked cocaine in exchange for weapons, a practice that has now extended to jihadist groups in Africa and Europe.
European mafias, particularly the ‘Ndrangheta in Italy, play a crucial role in facilitating the arms and drug trade that fuels jihadist activities. For instance, the ‘Ndrangheta has been involved in smuggling arms from Lebanon to Ireland for the IRA, and in laundering money with mutual. Spain’s Costa del Sol, serves as a key distribution hub for these transatlantic drug routes. The drugs smuggled into Europe often include Mexican cocaine, Moroccan hashish, and Afghan heroin in exchange for small firearm from Eastern Europe entering the black market during the Balkan conflicts.
The case of Guinea-Bissau and the expanding drug routes
Guinea-Bissau, a small West African nation, has garnered international attention for its transformation into a key hub in the global narcotics trade according to the 2023 UNODC Global Report on Cocaine. The roots of Guinea-Bissau’s descent into a narco-state can be traced back to its history of political instability, poverty and weak governance. The term narco-state refers to a nation where drug trafficking has penetrated the highest levels of government, significantly influencing political and economic structures.
The country’s strategic location along the West African coast, particularly on the 10th parallel, makes it an ideal transit point for drug traffickers looking to move narcotics from South America to Europe and beyond. Guinea-Bissau’s extensive coastline and numerous uninhabited islands provide ample opportunities for drug shipments to be offloaded and stored before being moved inland or on to other destinations.
By the early 2000s, Guinea-Bissau had become a central player in the cocaine trade, earning the dubious distinction of being a “narco-state.” In Guinea-Bissau, this phenomenon is exemplified by the involvement of top military officials and politicians in the drug trade, which has severely undermined the rule of law and fueled corruption at every level of society. These officials often collaborate with international drug cartels, providing logistical support and security in exchange for a share of the profits. One of the most notorious figures in this illicit trade was the former Head of the Guinea-Bissau Navy, Admiral José Américo Bubo Na Tchuto, who was designated as a drug kingpin by the U.S. Department of the Treasury in 2010.
Impact on local communities and regional stability
The transformation of Guinea-Bissau into a narco-state has had devastating consequences for its population. The influx of drug money has done little to improve the lives of ordinary citizens, who continue to suffer from extreme poverty, lack of access to basic services, and a crumbling infrastructure. Instead, the wealth generated by the drug trade has fueled corruption, deepened inequality, and contributed to social decay.
The involvement of the military and political elite in drug trafficking has also led to a breakdown of the rule of law. Law enforcement agencies are often under-resourced and heavily compromised, making it nearly impossible to effectively combat drug-related crime. This environment of lawlessness has allowed criminal networks to operate freely, often with the protection or even active participation of state actors.
Regional impacts
Guinea-Bissau’s emergence as a significant drug trafficking hub is not only a national issue but a regional crisis with far-reaching implications for security across West Africa. The country’s porous borders and weak governance have made it an attractive gateway for transnational drug cartels, particularly those moving cocaine from Latin America to Europe. However, the impact of this illicit trade extends beyond mere smuggling; it is fueling instability by providing financial and material resources to jihadist groups operating in the region.
Jihadist organizations, such as those linked to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and other extremist factions, have increasingly turned to drug trafficking as a major source of funding for their operations. The profits generated from the narcotics trade enable these groups to purchase weapons, recruit fighters, and expand their influence across West Africa, particularly in the Sahel region.
This nexus between drug trafficking and terrorism is further compounded by the use of Captagon, a potent amphetamine that jihadists have adopted to enhance the effectiveness of their fighters. Captagon itself is used by these groups to increase the aggression and stamina of their fighters during combat. The drug’s psychoactive effects diminish fear and amplify violent tendencies, making jihadist attacks more ferocious and unpredictable.
Conclusion
The nexus between narcoterrorism and jihadism in the West Africa Sahel presents a serious challenge to both regional stability and global security. As drug trafficking networks and jihadist groups increasingly collaborate, their combined activities intensify violence, destabilize governments, and exacerbate poverty in the region.
To address these issues, a multi-faceted approach is essential. Strengthening governance and rule of law in affected countries like Guinea-Bissau should be a priority, with international efforts focused on reducing corruption and enhancing security forces’ capacity to combat trafficking. Additionally, fostering regional cooperation among West African nations can disrupt drug routes and jihadist activities. Finally, global initiatives, including intelligence-sharing and coordinated operations between Africa, Europe, and Latin America, should target the transnational drug and arms trade that sustains these terrorist groups.
