East Africa, a key security partner in the war on terror is being critically undermined by illicit trade, a report has found.
The report dubbed An Unholy Alliance: Links Between Extremism and Illicit Trade in East Africa says that terror groups , urban gangs, and international crime groups are increasingly targeting East Africa as a destination market for illicit trade.
They also use East Africa as a transport hub for the mass import and export of illegal goods.
"Terrorists groups continue to cash in on the illegal ivory trade to pay their soldiers and fund their campaigns of terror, while Somali warlords profit from the thousands of bags of cheap, illicit sugar that are smuggled into Kenya every day," it reads.
Meanwhile, the multi-million-dollar illegal tobacco industry funds corruption, insurgency, and the illegal arms trade across the region.
Sir Ivor Roberts, CEP senior advisor and author of the report, outlined the difficulties faced by the region: “As illicit trade networks continue to expand and mature in their sophistication, the cost to East African society has been enormous. At every link in the illicit chain, economic, social, and political harm is done to East African society, while terror and crime groups grow stronger.”
As East Africa struggles to recover from the ravages of the pandemic, Sir Ivor believes the region must prioritise measures which target illicit trafficking.
“The most effective way from the East African region, and the wider international community, to fight extremism, crime, and corruption is to turn off the taps of illicit trade.," he said.
This can ensure critical revenues are not lost to the shadow economy but are instead invested in key services.
"Combating illicit trade should be the number one priority for East African governments and their international allies. This issue goes beyond the borders of East Africa, and it is imperative that the international community pay heed," he says.
