Organized crime increased in Cameroon between 2019-2021. This is according to a publication of the Index of Organized Crime in Africa by enact (Africa's Response to Transnational Organised Crime).
On the continental ranking, Cameroon (10th) remains ahead of Côte d'Ivoire (11th). Compared to the year 2020, the increase is 0.33 points. Although Cameroon is the scene of several armed conflicts within it, arms sales are considered more important in Côte d'Ivoire. The DRC remains the African country with the highest organized crime index.
According to ENACT, organized crime causes widespread social, economic, political and environmental damage. It also affects several areas; from trafficking in human beings for the purpose of sexual exploitation to corruption. There is also fraud and money laundering, and the poaching of endangered wildlife.
However, "a strong injection of political will is needed to combat organized crime in Africa. Economic opportunities and development, as well as improved regulatory environments, will reduce incentives to engage in illicit behavior," enact researchers said.
The ENACT Index of Organized Crime in Africa is a multidimensional tool that measures both countries' level of crime and their resistance to organized crime. Its objective is to guide policy makers and regional bodies to prioritize their interventions. These interventions should be based on a vulnerability assessment. They must also have the means to measure the effectiveness of their interventions.
