East Africa plays an increasing role in the global illicit drug trade, particularly as a corridor for the trafficking of heroin and cocaine. This three-part seminar will explore different dimensions of this growing regional threat.
The first session marks the launch of a new research paper titled The heroin coast: A political economy along the eastern African seaboard. Co-authors Simone Haysom and Peter Gastrow from the Global Initiative against Transnational Organised Crime will present on the heroin trade in the region; and the criminal governance systems that facilitate drug trafficking. Gedion Kimilu, Head of the INTERPOL Regional Bureau in Nairobi, will contribute as a respondent.
The relationship between media reporting and responses to drug trafficking is the focus of the second session, which also sees launch of a research paper titled Analysing drug-trafficking in East Africa: a media-monitoring approach. This presentation is led by the author, ISS consultant Ciara Aucoin, with John-Allan Namu, founder and CEO of Africa Uncensored contributing as a respondent.
The third session will focus on drug trafficking in the region against the broader backdrop of maritime insecurity and governance challenges, led by ISS maritime expert Timothy Walker. This will be followed by a response from Benjamin Lawellin from the Global Maritime Crime Programme of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
This event will be chaired by Deo Gumba, ENACT Regional organised crime observatory coordinator – East and Horn of Africa, ISS.
Enquiries : Deo Gumba – [email protected]
Photo © Thomas Marthinsen/Flickr
