How does environmental crime affect peace and security in West Africa?

The issue of "environmental crime" is currently high at the international political agenda, but how about West Africa in particular when we know that this region is at the crossroads of wildlife trafficking? How does this phenomenon materialize in this region? This note precisely aims at outlining a mapping of practices and issues associated with environmental crime in this region of the world. After an overview of the main trafficking across West Africa, this analysis addresses in greater detail the issues associated with forest crime and illegal fishing, as well as their impact in terms of regional peace and security. Finally, this paper presents a synthetic review of the various political and legal mechanisms developed for the purpose of combating environmental crimes and abuses. (Full text in French only)