Unholy alliance? Assessing the links between organised criminals and terrorists in Southern Africa

Following events of September 2001, the international community has examined the possible linkages between terrorist groupings and organised criminals

Following the events of 11 September 2001, the international community has increasingly examined the possible linkages between terrorist groupings and organised criminals. The structural, economic, social and political weaknesses in the Southern African sub-region, combined with well-organised and firmly entrenched criminal networks, would, on the face of it, suggest that linkages between organised crime and terrorism are plausible.

However, none of the cases examined in this paper could establish a clear linkage between the two phenomena. They show, instead, that terrorists may have interacted with organised criminals in straightforward business deals, on an ad-hoc basis. Entering into a close and more permanent arrangement with terrorists would not feature on the agendas of organised criminal groups unless there was an immediate financial gain.

Ultimately, ongoing collaboration would heighten the risk of detection for both parties. Furthermore, there is little political or ideological common ground between terrorists and criminals to sustain such linkages. 

About the author

Annette Hubschle joined the ISS in November 2002 and is a researcher in the Organised Crime and Corruption Programme. She specialises in issues dealing with the funding of terrorism, the fight against terrorism versus the protection of civil liberties, and matters relating to organised crime in the SADC region. She holds an Honours degree in International and Comparative Political Studies and International Political Economy from the University of Cape Town. She is currently working on a Masters degree focusing on the impact of international anti-terrorism strategies on developing economies.