NCJ Number
66636
Journal
International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice Volume: 3 Issue: 2 Dated: (FALL 1979) Pages: 177-183
Date Published
1979
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THE EXTENT TO WHICH ALL CRIME, BOTH THAT COMMITTED BY ADULTS AND JUVENILES, AND IN PARTICULAR CERTAIN TYPES OF ORGANIZED CRIME, HAS SURFACED IN THE 1960'S AND 1970'S IN THE NEW STATES OF AFRICA IS EXAMINED.
Abstract
THE DISCUSSION DEFINES ORGANIZED CRIME IN THE AFRICAN CONTEXT AS A CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY TO MAKE QUICK MONEY THROUGH EXPLOITATION OF BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES, CORRUPT PRACTICES, RELATIVE LACK OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, OR POLITICAL INSTABILITY. ITS PERPETRATORS INCLUDE: 1) BUSINESS PERSONS AND WELL-PLACED PUBLIC OFFICIALS WHO USE THEIR POSITION TO CRIMINAL ADVANTAGE, 2) 'SHADY' BUSINESSPERSONS WHO ARE CLOSELY CONNECTED WITH CRIMINAL WORKS AND WELL-PLACED OFFICIALS, AND 3) CRIMINAL OPERATORS WHOSE ACTIVITIES EXTEND TO HIGHWAY ROBBERY, ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, SMUGGLING OF GOODS, DRUG TRAFFIC, AND POACHING. THE DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF AMERICAN AND WEST EUROPEAN ORGANIZED CRIME ARE BRIEFLY DESCRIBED AND COMPARED TO AFRICAN TYPES OF ORGANIZED CRIME. IT IS CLAIMED THAT NORTH AFRICAN ARAB DESERT SMUGGLERS RESEMBLE THE CLOSED NATIONAL GROUPS AND GANGS OF WEST EUROPEAN ORGANIZED CRIME. THE SMUGGLING OF DIAMONDS IN WEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES, THE SMUGGLING OF COFFEE IN UGANDA AND KENYA, POACHING BY SOMALI ROVING BANDS, AND THE SMUGGLING OF CATTLE IN WEST AFRICA ARE ALL LIKENED TO A TYPE OF WEST EUROPEAN ORGANIZED CRIME CHARACTERIZED BY MIXED GROUPS IN WHICH ONE NATIONALITY IS PREDOMINANT. IN ADDITION, AFRICAN CRIME HAS HAD NOTORIOUS FIGURES, JUST AS THE CRIMINAL SCENE IN THE UNITED STATES DOES. HOWEVER, THERE IS LITTLE EVIDENCE OF TRIBAL SUCCESSIONS AND RING LEADERS IN AFRICAN CRIME--UNLIKE THE ETHNIC SUCCESSION CHARACTERISTIC OF ORGANIZED CRIME OPERATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE TASK OF AFRICAN CRIMINOLOGY IS TO LINK THE STUDY OF BOTH GENERAL CRIME AND ORGANIZED CRIME WITH THE LARGER PURSUIT OF NATION BUILDING, THEREBY AIDING IN THE STRUGGLE TO ESTABLISH VIABLE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND POLITICAL LEADERSHIP. REFERENCES AE PROVIDED. (DEG)