As Africa Unites against Drug Barons

The just-concluded 31st meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies in Africa sparked a great sense of optimism and renewed determination towards t,he fight against hard drugs in Africa, Mitchell Ofoyeju writes

The conduct of the just concluded 31st meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (HONLEA) in Africa has sparked a great sense of optimism and renewed determination towards the African Union’s Plan of Action on Drug Control and Crime Prevention and the broader framework of the 2030 Agenda for the Sustainable Development Goals. Obviously, the chair of the continental meeting and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), has continued to receive accolades for the seamless proceedings and the concrete resolutions reached at the end of the meeting.

The pleasant memories of the annual gathering, which was organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and hosted by the Federal Government of Nigeria in Abuja from September 26 to 29, 2023, will certainly linger in the minds of delegates and observers alike. The excitement for the host country is not unusual, as this is the third time that Nigeria has played host to this august body. The fifth meeting of HONLEA, Africa, and the first in the country was held in Abuja, Nigeria, from May 18–22, 1992, while the tenth meeting of HONLEA, Africa, and the second in the country was held in Abuja from April 20–24, 1998.

In his keynote address, the special guest of honour, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who declared the meeting open, said that the drug threat transcends race, geographical location, gender, and social class. He commended member states for their sacrifices and commitments under the HONLAF platform to keep the world drug-free, sane, and safe. President Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said: “Hosting the 31st HONLAF meeting here is to reassure you of our promise to participate in building a world not threatened by the infiltration of illicit drugs. The commitment to the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse is not just a matter of policy but a moral imperative.”

He added that the government will continue to provide the necessary support, motivation, and tools for the NDLEA to fulfil its mandate. According to him, the conference was a beacon of hope and a catalyst for positive change across our continent and therefore called on participants to compare notes, collaborate, and build networks that would be several steps ahead of the criminal network of drug transnational organisations.

The eloquent speeches at the opening ceremony set the pace for a seamless meeting. Her Excellency, Ghada Fathi Wali, the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), said in her statement that the world drug problem is having a devastating impact on people and their well-being across borders and continents. She urged member states to translate commitments to tackle this problem into action through effective implementation and collaboration among practitioners.

“The meeting, which examines current trends, threats, and emerging challenges related to the world drug problem, is pivotal for international drug policy as the Commission on Narcotic Drugs will hold a mid-term review of all international drug policy commitments set forth in the 2019 Ministerial Declaration,” she noted.

Also speaking at the opening ceremony, His Excellency, Camilo Ruiz Blanco, the chairman of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, noted that the 31st HONLAF was held at a time when the international community needs urgent progress against expanding drug challenges. He observed that the global supply and demand of illicit drugs is growing and opioids continue to cause harm, while the development of synthetic drugs is rising at an alarming rate.

According to him, “this problem is further exacerbated by the increased use of the internet in drug transactions, the negative impact on the environment, and climate change, which affects the Sustainable Development Goals. To counter these and other drug-related challenges, intelligence sharing and cross-border law enforcement cooperation, which the HONLEA meetings provide, are very important as the CND awaits the recommendations.”

Dr. Oliver Stolpe, the country representative of UNODC, also aligned with previous speakers, stating that the drug problem has changed from what it used to be 20 years ago. “Today, the picture is different; local consumption is increasing and becoming increasingly problematic. We need a balanced approach to supply and demand reduction,” he stated.

Equally remarkable were the words of the honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Justice Olasunkanmi Fagbemi. In his words, “the collective endeavour to combat the pernicious threats of illicit drug trafficking, crimes, and criminal organisations is anchored in a rich tapestry of international conventions and protocols and the extensive domestic legal frameworks within our nations. I want you to invest in cutting-edge tactics, including the use of technology”. Fagbemi was represented by Nkiruka Jones-Nebo, the Acting Director of the International Criminal Justice Cooperation Department at the Federal Ministry of Justice.

While citing some key findings of the 2023 World Drug Report as they concern Africa, Marwa charged his counterparts across the continent to strengthen operational networks and raise the bar in the drug war. He noted that although the consequences of drugs are grave, the platform of HONLAF has the capacity to turn the tide against drug trafficking cartels. “The 31st meeting will indeed provide an opportunity for us to raise the bar and break new ground in different areas of our operations and collaborative efforts. We have the capacity to positively shape our operations and redefine our cooperation at the end of this conference,” Marwa noted.

Nigeria was lavishly commended by delegates for a wonderful hosting experience characterised by the diplomatic courtesies and the unique Nigerian hospitality that provided a serene and conducive ambience for the meeting. African drug control administrators, at the end of the summit, resolved to strengthen the national drug control framework aimed at emasculating drug barons. One of the recommendations was the adoption of adequate legal and regulatory frameworks for virtual assets, including cryptocurrencies, to prevent and combat their use for drug-related crime and money laundering.

They also called for the establishment of national specialised courts and asset recovery offices dealing with organised crime and money laundering. This is targeted at supporting the tracing, recovery, and management of the proceeds of crime. Member states also agreed to promote South-South cooperation and the sharing of best practices in the confiscation of proceeds of crime, including drug-related cases. African leaders were encouraged to make effective use of existing platforms aimed at facilitating investigations and prosecutions of organised crime. Such platforms include the West African Network of Central Authorities and Prosecutors (WACAP), the Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network for Southern Africa (ARINSA), the Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network of West Africa (ARINWA), and the UNODC CRIMJUST programme.

Worthy of mention were thematic issues relating to the environmental impact of illicit crop cultivation, drug manufacture, and drug use. Governments were encouraged to empower indigenous people, youth groups, and local communities to protect the land, forest reserves, and water sources in their communities. Other recommendations include the promotion of research and monitoring systems to collect data and establish baselines on environmental impact, which will allow for evidence-based interventions and impact assessment. The need to strengthen capacity to safely dispose of seized drugs, chemicals, precursors, and drug waste was also highlighted.

At a gala dinner, participants were treated to a showcase of Nigeria’s rich cultural and culinary heritage. The dinner was attended by many dignitaries, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and the Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, among others. Akume thanked the delegates for their commitment to a noble course. In his words, “I sincerely appreciate your sacrifices to the campaign against drugs in Africa and wish you a most memorable time in Nigeria.” The SGF was represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Service Office, Dr. Maurice Nnamdi Mbaeri.

The 31st HONLEA Africa may have ended in Abuja, but the wide-ranging outcomes aimed at addressing the world drug problem will continue to be a nightmare to drug trafficking cartels in the continent and beyond.

 Strict implementation of drug policies, training of practitioners, intelligence-led operations, evidence-based drug use prevention programmes, as well as bilateral and multilateral cooperation among member states, promise to be the game changer as the world awaits the mid-term review of all international drug policy commitments outlined in the 2019 Ministerial Declaration next year.

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The government will continue to provide the necessary support, motivation, and tools for the NDLEA to fulfil its mandate. According to him, the conference was a beacon of hope and a catalyst for positive change across our continent and therefore called on participants to compare notes, collaborate, and build networks that would be several steps ahead of the criminal network of drug transnational organisations