Africa

FEATURE: The illegal trafficking of wild animals feeds a major global market, and involves a huge range of species; now a new series of briefings on this illicit trade – starting with a focus on live cheetahs and African Elephant ivory – is highlighting the challenges of tackling animal trafficking as well as how routes and markets have responded to COVID-19, as Policing Insight’s Chris Allen reports.

FEATURE: The latest report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and Europol on the global cocaine trade highlights the significant surge in both supply and profits, along with a concerning increase in violence; Policing Insight’s Chris Allen looks at the latest trends highlighted by the research, and the implications for efforts to tackle the global drugs market going forwards.

OPINION: There are conflicting views over whether proposed amendments to South African law, which would reduce the number of licensed firearms and rule out the acquisition of a firearm for self-defence, will have the desired effect on gun crime in the country; but criminologist and lecturer Dr Guy Lamb of Stellenbosch University argues that the legislation changes are an important element in the efforts of the Government and police to keep guns out of the hands of criminals.

FEATURE: Gold has always been an attractive commodity for criminals, because of its high value, relative anonymity and ability to evade banking controls; now a new report has highlighted the organised crime groups – including corrupt state actors – who are controlling the mining, smuggling and trading of this precious metal across Central Africa, as Policing Insight’s Chris Allen reports.

ANALYSIS: COVID-19 has seen fraudsters taking advantage of the pandemic economy, and Africa has not escaped the attentions of those intent on fraud; Research Associate Nataliya Mykhalchenko and Lecturer Jörg Wiegratz, both of the University of Leeds, set out some of the key findings from their latest research into the responses to fraud, and the major characteristics of anti-fraud measures, across 11 African countries.

OPINION: The appointment of a new Inspector General of Police in Nigeria has brought about some closure to calls for reform of the country’s security architecture; but as Dr Lanre Ikuteyijo of Obafemi Awolowo University explains, the new incumbent will face a long ‘to do’ list – from rebuilding community relations and improving the police image to rooting out corruption and improving the morale and welfare of officers.

FEATURE: New research has highlighted the hugely profitable, ‘industrial scale’ wildlife crime taking place in West Africa, co-ordinated largely by organised crime groups, as well as the potential for financial investigators to target the criminals; Policing Insight’s Chris Allen looks at the options for tackling a severely damaging global trade, often undertaken at a local level by some of the world’s poorest people.

OPINION: The death earlier this year of Mthokozisi Ntumba, shot by police as he walked past a student protest, has highlighted South Africa’s painful history of police using excessive force against protesters; Frans Viljoen, Professor of International Human Rights Law, believes a recently published report on public order policing, and a proposed amendment to the South African Police Act, could be a catalyst for change.

OPINION: Nigerian public protests against the country's notorious SARS police, led largely by young people, seemed to secure a victory when President Buhari agreed to disband the unit; but any sense of celebration has turned sour, with the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) appearing to be a new label for an old institution, says Duke University Assistant Professor Samuel Fury Childs Daly.

OPINION: Around 120 million Nigerians have access to the internet, with more than half using at least one social media platform, but police in Lagos have yet to maximise the potential of digital communications to fight crime; criminologist Dr Usman Ojedokun explores why, and what more could be done to engage with the public.

OPINION: Since the advent of civilian rule in Nigeria, no police unit has been as severely criticised as the Special Anti-Robbery Squad; Dr Lanre Ikuteyijo explains the unit’s origin, mandate, achievements and governance, and why the recent decision to disband the squad still falls short of what needs to be done to end bad policing in the country.

Analysis: As the world comes to terms with the impact of Covid-19, Professor Karl Roberts, Professor Alex Broadbent and Professor Benjamin Smart examine how some African countries have policed the lockdown.

INTERVIEW: Kenya has a long history of policing with excessive force, often resulting in unnecessary deaths. Recently, at least six people died from police violence during the first 10 days of a dusk-to-dawn curfew. Moina Spooner, from The Conversation Africa, asked Douglas Kivoi, an expert on police reform and policy, to shed light on the situation.

LONG READ: How does community policing translate to a former war zone like South Sudan? Jackie Gold, Chief Inspector with Avon and Somerset Police, explains the importance of gaining a clear understanding of the mandate, finding opportunities for ‘quick wins’, influencing others, cultural awareness and taking risks.