Cocaine's African Layover Further Destabilizes an Unstable Continent

A recent report reveals that the African continent has become a major transhipment hub for drugs travelling to Europe.

In 2003, African authorities seized 1.1 tons of cocaine. One year later, that number had jumped to 3.6 tons. While greater amounts of cocaine were seized in other parts of the world, the more than 300% increase by which cocaine seizures grew in Africa is alarmingly larger than the 18% worldwide increase during the same period, according to official United Nations figures.

A document distributed by United Nations authorities during a recent law-enforcement conference held in Nairobi, in which 34 African nations participated, clearly states: “(Africa) is becoming a transit region to the worldwide cocaine market.”

The report cites the fact that European and U.S. anti-narcotic officials are less likely to perform close inspections on flights and shipments coming from countries that do not produce drugs as a major reason why drug traffickers have selected African countries as transit hubs.

However, the unfortunate and widespread corruption that many African nations face also makes it relatively easy for drug traffickers to move illicit drugs without fearing the intervention of security or customs authorities.

For example, the Western African nation of Ghana, which, with a 4.000% increases in cocaine seizures between 2003 and 2004, is the African country who has seen the largest increase in its cocaine traffic. Not surprisingly, the nation has also been consumed by numerous high-profile scandals related to cocaine trafficking that have destabilized an already shaky government.

Less than a year ago, Eric Amoateng, a member of Ghana’s parliament, was caught with a $6 million load of heroine in the United States. He is currently in jail.

Last June, 78 packages containing a total of 2.3 tons of cocaine were found aboard a ship called the MV Benjamin. 77 of the 78 packages soon disappeared and have yet to be found. In the tedious investigation that followed, the media obtained a taped conversation between Kofi Boakye, the second highest ranking police official in Ghana, and presumed drug dealers.

To date, 5 individuals are behind bars, the assets of 15 others have been frozen and numerous investigations are underway.

Kenya’s regional United Nations office published a statement that sums up the effects of Africa’s situation as a growing transshipment hub in the following bleak terms:

“Illicit drug trafficking has brought to the sub-region a wide range of serious and organised criminal activity including murder, kidnapping and extortion… Drug trafficking is also seen as a lucrative investment for the proceeds derived from other high-value crimes including theft, robbery and fraud.

Violent crime and the spread and use of firearms have risen to alarming proportions. Gangs of criminals often under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol act with total disregard for life or property and car-jacking, robbery and domestic burglary are commonplace. Resistance by the victim(s) is foolhardy and dangerous.

Women in particular are also vulnerable to accompanying acts of wanton sexual assault and rape, with a high degree of risk of contracting HIV/AIDS or other sexually-transmitted diseases.

All of these acts are traumatic for the victims, but also have a serious and negative impact on a region dependent on tourism.”

Nigeria appoints new spiritual head for country's Muslims

Nigeria on Thursday appointed a new spiritual head to lead the country's huge Muslim community, succeeding the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Maccido, who died in a plane crash at the weekend.

The secretary to the Sokoto State government, Maigari Dingyadi, announced in a radio broadcast that Maccido's younger brother, Muhammadu Sada Abubakar III, had been appointed to replace him.

The 50-year-old Nigerian army colonel becomes the 20th sultan since the establishment of the Sokoto caliphate in 1804 following an Islamic holy war.

Abubakar was among three people whose names were submitted to the government by a 10-member council of kingmakers.

President Olusegun congratulated the new sultan on Thursday.

"Obasanjo has received with delight the news of the emergence of Alhaji Mohammadu Abubakar as the new Sultan of Sokoto," the government said in a statement.

"On behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, Mr President congratulates the new sultan and wishes him a successful reign," it added.

The sultan is the spiritual head of the more than 50 million Muslims in Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa with a population of around 130 million.

Gbagbo accepts new UN peace plan for I Coast, appeals for calm

Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo said on Thursday he accepted a new United Nations plan giving sweeping powers to an unelected prime minister to try and achieve lasting peace and appealed for calm in the divided west African country.

The UN Security Council on Wednesday adopted a new peace plan giving Ivorian Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny sweeping powers to lead a one-year transition to long-delayed presidential and parliamentary elections.

Following disagreements within the Security Council, the UN resolution had to be watered down from an original version which specifically stated that Banny would have powers to appoint military and civilian officials, a clause which, it was felt, directly violated the consitution.

"I welcome and thank all the member states of the Security Council ... who rejected any possibility to subordinate the constitution of a country to a decision of an international organisation," Gbagbo said in a 10-minute address to the nation that was broadcast on state television.

"Our constitution will therefore remain in force," he added.

The firebrand leader asked "each and every one to remain calm and ... abstain from any demonstration ... so that nothing disturbs" the implementation of the peace process.

Nigerian president replaces minister over plane crash tragedy

Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday replaced but did not sack Aviation Minister Babalola Borishade, following a string of air crashes that have claimed hundreds of lives in recent months.

Borishade has swapped places with Culture and Tourism Minister Femi Fani-Kayode, the secretary to government, Uffot Ekaette, said in a statement.

Nigerian lawmakers had demanded the resignation of Borishade after the leader of the country's 50-million-strong Muslim community, two senators and 93 other people were killed when a Boeing 737 plane belonging to private airline ADC crashed on Sunday.

The accident, shortly after the aircraft took off from Abuja, was the country's third major civilian plane crash in little over a year.

The legislators pointed out that at least three fatal crashes had occurred under Borishade's watch and demanded his immediate resignation for "poor handling of the aviation sector".

The minister has blamed the pilot for the weekend crash, accusing him of ignoring advice from traffic controllers to abandon take-off because of bad weather.

Among those killed in the accident were the country's top Islamic cleric, Muhammadu Maccido, his senator son and a former president's son.

Police said the two black box flight recorders, one with audio from the cockpit and another with flight data, had been found and were being examined.

While Nigeria does not have the worst air safety record in Africa, nearly 1,200 people have died in more than 40 plane crashes since 1991. Accidents in December and October last year each claimed more than 100 lives.