Africa and the Global Illicit Economy
This podcast brings stories and investigations from the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, covering corruption, illicit financial flows, gangs, and the role of foreign corporations in Africa. It examines the political economy of crime and the enabling environment that has made the continent vulnerable to organized crime. Drawing on the organization's civil society observatories across North, South, East and West Africa, it offers insights into how criminal networks affect the continent's emergency trends and contemporary events.
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Season 2! Underworlds with Mark Shaw - Underworlds with Mark Shaw
Underworlds with Mark Shaw is returning for another season.Mark sits down with authors to discuss their investigations into the murky world of organized crime.In season two, we hear about a range of stories such as money laundering and cryptocurrency; the 'Ndrangheta's expansion from Calabria, Italy to other countries of Europe. Also the story of a leading South African police officer, who was tas
TRAILER: Underworlds with Mark Shaw - Underworlds with Mark Shaw
Welcome to Underworlds with Mark Shaw.Organized Crime is everywhere, hidden in plain sight. The stories from this world have been mythologised by Hollywood. But the reality can be even stranger and more exciting than fiction. From the golden age of the American mafia (La Cosa Nostra), to the modern-day cocaine empires, and from the shadowy links between organized crime and terrorism, to the twilig
Organized Crime Risk in South Africa
Organized crime in South Africa threatens the economy, its people and the democratic institutions themselves. Every day we see a number of different and seemingly unconnected criminal incidents taking place - from assassinations to gang rapes in an illegal mining community; and from the violence of the taxi industry to organized cooper theft. But what lies behind all of these actions is a dark web
The Gangs of Grassy Park
The Cape Flats in South Africa is made up of 20 suburbs make up the Cape Flats; populated predominantly by black and coloured communities, a term used to describe those of mixed-heritage. Each suburb is marked by poverty, crime, drug abuse, gangsterism and violence. In this, Lindy Mtongana's final episode, she looks at the Grassy Park where a slew of recent killings has exposed the devastating con
Political Assassinations in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
In this episode Lindy delves into the murky world of political assassinations in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Where, according to the GI-TOC's assassination monitor data, for three of the last six years, political assassinations were higher than all other South African provinces combined.Presenter: Lindy MtonganaSpeaker(s): Greg Arde, Journalist and Author of War Party: How the ANC’s political kil
Cattle Rustling in Mali
In this episode Lindy explores the world of cattle rustling in Mali, an act that has existed for centuries. But cattle rustling has evolved into a highly organized form of criminality involving Islamists and bandits, forcing farmers to arm themselves to protect themselves and their herds. Presenter: Lindy MtonganaSpeaker: Deo Gumba, Civil Society Coordinator for the West Africa Observatory, Global
Drugs and Development Hub Regional Conversation
The Drugs and Development Hub is an initiative that brings together researchers, academics, policymakers and people affected by drug economies to discuss new approaches to drug policy. The ultimate goal is to shift mindsets towards more socially conscious and public-health oriented approach.This is the second episode covering the DDH. In this podcast Lindy sits down with a range of regional expert
The "Young Tycoon" and Fake Gold Scams in East Africa
In this episode, Lindy explores the case of Lual Lawrence Malong Yor, a South Sudanese businessman with a compulsion for flamboyant self promotion. But last year he was jailed in Uganda for masterminding a million-dollar fake gold scam. The Malong case is emblematic of a prolific problem in East Africa's gold Market. At the heart of these scams are criminal networks operating in Nairobi and Kampal
Illicit Markets and Insurgency in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique
The attack on Palma last year made international headlines but for five years, Mozambique has been the site of a violent insurgency. The armed jihadist group, Ansar Al-Sunna, has terrorised communities in the northern province of Cabo Delgado. It’s believed that more than 3000 people have been killed, and over 700,000 displaced. Despite international recognition and a regional military response, t
Abalone: The Trafficked South African Sea Snail
Abalone is a fairly innocuous little creature that fits in the palm of your hand. It's a type of sea snail found off the coast of South Africa, and abalone is also considered a delicacy in Asia.It's been driven to near-extinction by massive levels of poaching, in a transnational criminal network that sees local, regional and international players compete for profits.In this episode, Lindy speaks t
Africa Index on Organized Crime
At the end of November 2021, the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime alongside the International Institute for Strategic Studies released the Africa Organized Crime Index 2021 – which provides a picture of criminality and resilience of every country in Africa. The aim is to guide African policymaking and to stimulate debate on one of the greatest threats to the security and dev
Cheetahs
The Cheetah – the fastest land animal in the world. This big cat once ranged across most of Africa and into Asia – today there are thought to be only 7,000 still living in the wild. The Cheetah is a protected species and is endangered, but there are a few countries that allow their legal export. But irregularities within the trade system means that abuse is significant – cheetah being taken from t
The Kuluna Gangs of Kinshasa
"Joining Kuluna gangs is an expression of anger, injustice and frustration - to enact revenge on society"Kinshasa, a megacity in Central Africa and the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The majority of the 12-million city population are under 25, but rapid urbanisation, a lack of employment opportunities, violence and poverty has seen many of these young people joining street gangs know
How to Silence the Guns: Southern Africa’s illegal firearms markets
For decades the illegal firearms market in the Southern African counties was driven by regional conflicts, many of those firearms likely ended up in the hands of criminal groups. But today, we are seeing a much more worrying trend - newer weapons entering the market, some through cross-border trafficking, but more are being sourced domestically. And according to a new research paper from the GI, i
Fishy Business
This is a story of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, complex corporate structures, human trafficking, arms smuggling, corruption and the capture of state institutions.In this collaborative episode with Deep Dive: Exploring Organized Crime, we travel to the rich fishing grounds off Puntland in Somalia and a fleet of vessels known as the "Somali 7", before looking into a politically
The Death of Déby
On the 20th April 2021, Idriss Déby Itno, the President of Chad for three decades died from wounds he reportedly suffered on the frontline against rebel fighters. His death could leave a power vacuum in a region that is already rife with instability, fuelling more uncertainty, violence, geopolitical posturing, and criminal opportunity in the Sahel.Chad is a major hub for trafficking activities inc
Introducing: Too Many Enemies
We would like to introduce the Africa and the Global Illicit Economy audience to a new podcast series that has been launched by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.It's called ‘Too Many Enemies’ – and the series looks at the assassination crisis in South Africa through the lens of a very specific case.In a brilliant bit of storytelling, this podcast is presented by Paul McN
Cabo Delgado: Africa’s Forgotten Insurgency
On March 24th 2021, Islamist insurgents carried out an attack on the coastal town of Palma in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado. The days of fighting, looting, massacres, private military contractors, and dramatic rescues led to thousands more people fleeing to escape the violence.The attack took place just a few kilometres from Total’s $20 billion-dollar natural gas project on the
The Evolution of Meth Markets in Eastern and Southern Africa
With the release of the new report: A Synthetic Age: The Evolution of Methamphetamine Markets in Eastern and Southern Africa - How do GI analysts research drugs? And what happens when, despite the best efforts, prosecution of illicit actors fails?Presenter: Lindy MtonganaGuests:Jason Eligh, Senior Expert at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.Alastair Nelson, Senior Fellow
The Future of Libya Under Dabaiba
Who is Abdul Hamid al-Dabaiba (Dbeibah), Libya’s transitional prime minister?In this episode, we discuss political alliances, crime governance and the changing dynamics of Libya’s illicit economy under Dabaiba and the Government of National Unity (GNU).Emadeddin Badi, Senior Analyst, Global Initiative against Transnational Organized CrimeRebecca Murray, Senior Analyst, Global Initia
Meth and Guns in South Africa, and Crime at Nairobi’s Dandora Dumpsite
In South Africa, methamphetamine usage and the networks that support them are at all all-time high. And the assassination of a South African police detective highlights the channels by which illegal weapons and firearm licenses are sold to criminals. And, new research from the Global Initiative reveals a tight-knit relationship between criminals and corrupt figures in Nairobi’s only dumpsite.
Tunisia: Political Unrest and the Illicit Economy
A decade after the 2011 revolution that led to the end of long-time dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s rule, unrest continues in Tunisia. In January citizens took to the streets to protest state repression, corruption, and poverty. How has endemic corruption and uncertainty since 2011 contributed to Tunisia’s current environment? How will the country’s flailing economy impact irregular migrat
Violence in Nelson Mandela Bay, Ernie Solomon’s Assassination and Illicit Mining in Zimbabwe
The end of 2020 gave way to monumental shifts in the landscape of illicit crime in Southern Africa. This week we discuss how violence in Nelson Mandela Bay, illicit gold mining in Zimbabwe, and the assassination of gangster Ernie Solomon are setting the stage for illicit crime in Southern Africa for the coming year. Presenter: Lindy MtonganaSpeakers:Rukshana Parker, Analyst at the Global Initiativ
Shifting dynamics: Migration Trends Across the Mediterranean
Since the 2015 migrant crisis, restrictive measures, tougher policy interventions, and heightened securitization have become the hallmarks of border controls along the Mediterranean. Although it appears that these policy measures have had the desired effect, GI research reveals shifting dynamics and an interplay of cause and effect. In this episode, we investigate these dynamics and discuss them i
Political Elites and Gangs in Kenya
Recent research from the GI in “The Politics of Crime: Kenya’s Gang Phenomenon” uncovers the collusion between political elites and gangs in Kenya. This week’s episode places findings from this research in the context of unequal access to resources, extrajudicial killings, rapidly urbanizing spaces, and Kenya’s 2022 election.Presenter: Lindy MtonganaSpeakers:Simone Haysom, Senior Analyst, Global I
Changing Trafficking Dynamics in North Africa and the Sahel
This week we examine the effect that punitive policy measures and stricter border security enacted by North African nations in the past 5 years have had on human trafficking in the region. Presenter: Lindy MtonganaSpeakers:Alexandre Bish, Senior Analyst at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.Arezo Malakooti, Senior Fellow, Global Initiative Against Transnational Organi
Afghan Meth and Illicit Gold Mining
This week we discuss how illicit heroin shipments discovered in East and Southern Africa have links to growing possible links to Afghan methamphetamine markets, and the difficulties of tackling a surge in illegal gold mining amid deteriorating law-enforcement capacity, endemic corruption and community support for illegal miners in South Africa.Presenter: Lindy MtonganaSpeakersEd Stoddard, fr
Security Sector Reform and Organized Crime in Libya
This week, we’re in Libya where we’ll dive into the challenges of conducting security sector reform in an environment where organized crime is embedded into formal and informal power structures.Presenter: Lindy MtonganaSpeakers:Jalel Harchaoui, Research Fellow at the Clingendaely Institute in the Netherlands.Emadeddin Badi, Senior Analyst at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Cr
Police Assassinations in South Africa & Cheetah Smuggling in Somaliland
In this week’s episode we discuss the recent assisnation of Lieutenant-Colonel Charl Kinnear, a top-detective with the Western Cape Anti-Gang unit and corruption in South Africa’s police force. In Somaliland we’ll investigate how cheetah smuggling is decimating populations and what’s being done to stop it. Presenter: Lindy MtonganaSpeakers:Julian Rademeyer, Director of the Civil Society Observator
Three Men, a Boat and US Sanctions
On the 6th August 2020, the United States imposed sanctions on three men and a boat. The men were Libyan nationals, and the boat an asset of a Maltese company. What connects them all is a criminal network involving the sale of oil and drugs from Libya, across the central Meditarranean and into Europe. Presenter: Lindy MtonganaSpeakers:Mark Micallef, Director of the North Africa and
How have Gangs in South Africa and Kenya used COVID 19 to recruit children?
While international media reported a decrease in gang activity during COVID19 lockdowns in Kenya and South Africa, GI research has uncovered that they have simply shifted strategy. This week’s episode covers a special report on how gangs are recruiting out of school youth in growing numbers and how they are used for illicit activities. Presenter: Lindy MtonganaSpeakersJulia Stanyard, Analyst,
Corruption and a coup in Mali
In this week’s episode of Africa and the Global Illicit Economy, we uncover how unchecked corruption and illicit industries fuelled the discontent that led to Mali’s recent coup.Presenter: Lindy MtonganaSpeakers:Dr Bréma Ely Dicko - Malian sociologist and anthropologist, former head of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Human Sciences of BamakoPeter Tinti - Journalis
Arms Trafficking, Kidnappings and Donkey Skins
In this week’s episode of Africa and the Global Illicit Economy, we take a look at current trends in organised crime in East and Southern Africa --- From the illicit smuggling of arms and ammunition from Yemen to Somalia; the worrying rise of high-profile kidnappings in Mozambique; and the possible emergence of an organised illicit trade in donkey skins from Kenya. Presenter: Lind
Social Media and Irregular Migration from Maghreb
In this episode we explore push factors for surging levels of migration from the Maghreb in early 2020, and how Moroccan social media star, who goes by the name Zizou Vlogs, is lending a new voice to the changing face of irregular migration. Presenter: Lindy MtonganaGuests:Matt Herbert, Senior Analyst with the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized CrimeAmine Ghouli
Emerging Illicit Industries in the Wake of COVID-19
This episode examines how bans and increased regulation in above ground industries under the stated intent of “stopping the spread of COVID-19” have led to new forms of illicit trade in Eastern and Southern Africa. In Somalia donations of personal and ventilators have been misappropriated for profit and a ban on Khat threatens to destabilize the lives of growers and sellers in Kenya. In South Afri
Licit Economy Smuggling in the Maghreb and Sahel
In this episode of Africa and the Global Illicit Economy we explore how licit economy smuggling has become the backbone of communities across the Maghreb and Sahel.This episode features discussions on how governments tolerate and manage the trade in contraband commodities, medicine smuggling from Tunisia into Libya and the importance of food smuggling to borderland communities.Presenter: Lindy Mto
Unintended Consequences: Charcoal, Wine and Dhows
In this episode of Africa and the Global Illicit Economy we explore how developments in East and Southern Africa’s economy can lead to unintended consequences in the illicit economy.This episode features an inside look at how the tension between demand for charcoal and bans on production has given rise to powerful dealers who strike predatory agreements with local communities in Northern Uganda, s
Human Smuggling, Drug Trafficking & COVID-19 in North Africa & the Sahel
We start in North Africa and the Sahel where we will give you a comprehensive overview of some of the major illicit markets in the region, before in future episodes taking a more in depth look at the nuances within the illicit economy in Africa.In this episode we will discuss the journey taken by human smugglers and migrants travelling through the Sahel region and how that has been impacted by COV
