Advising on Security and Countering Organised Crime in the Central African Republic
As a UK envoy to the President of the Central African Republic from 2018 to 2020, the focus was on addressing a range of security threats and organised crime challenges that posed significant risks to national stability. This role involved direct advisory support to the President and the Security Minister, providing strategic guidance on managing internal security threats, cross-border issues, and illicit trade networks.
A key area of focus was unregulated immigration from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Sudan, which contributed to social and security pressures in the CAR. Advising on border management strategies, including surveillance enhancements and regional cooperation, was essential to mitigating these risks.
Primary areas for investigation were:
Global Organised Crime
CAR is ranked 23rd out of 193 countries on the Global Organised Crime Index.
Diamond smuggling
U.N. estimates 140K carats of diamonds ($24M value) smuggled since May 2013 Kimberley Process suspension.
Rainforest Destruction
During Séléka rule, Chinese, French, Lebanese firms illegally sold CAR timber, paying €3.4M for ‘protection’ to arm rebels, per Global Witness.
Addressing internal security threats posed by multiple rebel groups required a multifaceted approach. This included advising on intelligence-led operations to disrupt insurgent activities, supporting negotiations for localised ceasefires, and strengthening the capabilities of national security forces to respond to asymmetric threats effectively.
The role also involved mapping and addressing organised crime networks operating across the CAR’s borders with Chad and the Republic of Congo. Key issues included the illicit trade in diamonds, gold, and timber, as well as arms smuggling routes that funded armed groups. Developing strategies to counter these activities required a combination of intelligence sharing, regional partnerships, and targeted interdiction efforts.
In addition to these priorities, the work included a focus on the illicit wildlife trade, which was closely linked to broader networks of organised crime and conflict financing. Mapping these networks helped to inform policy recommendations aimed at disrupting financial flows to rebel groups and enhancing conservation efforts.
Through a combination of strategic advisory support, intelligence coordination, and capacity-building efforts, this role contributed to bolstering the Central African Republic’s ability to manage complex security challenges and improve governance and regional stability.
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