Transnational Organized Crime in the Sahel and Sahara

The phenomenon of organized crime is considered one of the oldest crimes known to human societies, and one of the most dangerous to the international community in the current era. With the development of societies, transnational organized crime has evolved, its scope has expanded, and its activity has increased to become an international crime par excellence, as it is closely linked to the political, social, and economic changes witnessed in many countries of the world, particularly in conflict and instability zones.

The Sahel and Sahara region is one of the hotbeds that has become a breeding ground for the escalation of transnational organized crime. Criminal groups have spread and their activities have flourished in this region due to the state of security instability and lack of development, in addition to international competition and foreign interference in the region.

There is no doubt that the increase in cross-border criminal networks has led to many security and political repercussions on the region. Moreover, these networks, operating through armed and illegal militias, have facilitated terrorist operations in the region, making it difficult for local and international authorities to combat them in the absence of a strong central authority capable of curbing these threats.

What has further increased the severity of this crime in the Sahel and Sahara countries is their geographical location and vast borders, making them pivotal countries in the African continent. They have become a major transit point at the regional level, as their territories serve as a main corridor through the Mediterranean to Europe, in addition to being a center for arms, drug, and human smuggling. Political chaos and security instability in these countries have contributed to enhancing these cross-border criminal activities, which now threaten not only their internal security but also regional and international security.

In the face of this situation that threatens the security and stability of the Sahel and Sahara region due to the complex reality imposed by criminal networks, it has become necessary for the countries of the region to take joint measures and strategies to confront the widespread manifestations of transnational organized crime in the region.

Based on the above, the idea of the conference emerged to urge and guide academics, researchers, specialists, and experts to study and discuss the legal, security, economic, and even political dimensions of transnational organized crime, as well as to identify its causes and ways to confront it.