Side event, 12th Session of the Conference of the Parties to UNTOC: Unraveling the links between European and African organized criminal groups

The influence of foreign criminal actors in Africa has steadily increased since 2019. Large and porous borders, systemic corruption, abundant natural resources, and low use of the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and extradition treaties make Africa attractive to foreign criminal enterprises. And foreign criminal actors are attracted to Europe’s well-integrated international trade flows.

The side event will provide the latest information on links between European and African criminal groups and actors, their operations and illicit markets. The event will highlight the implications for national and regional security and discuss strategies to disrupt these activities, including through increased UNTOC implementation.

This event is co-hosted by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS). INTERPOL and the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC).

Moderator: Anabella Corridoni, Analytical Coordinator, INTERPOL

Opening speech: EU representative

Panelists:

• Nathalia Durkhan, Director, Central African Observatory, GI-TOC
• Zobel Behalal, Senior Analyst, GI-TOC
• Yann le Cloarec, Criminal Intelligence Analyst, INTERPOL
• Dr. Willis Okumu, Senior ENACT Researcher, East Africa Regional Organized Crime Observatory, ISS