Mystris, Dominique --- "Transnational crime in the African Union" [2019] ELECD 3006; in Mitsilegas, Valsamis; Hufnagel, Saskia; Moiseienko, Anton (eds), "Research Handbook on Transnational Crime" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2019) 482

Book Title: Research Handbook on Transnational Crime

Editor(s): Mitsilegas, Valsamis; Hufnagel, Saskia; Moiseienko, Anton

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

Section: Chapter 33

Section Title: Transnational crime in the African Union

Author(s): Mystris, Dominique

Number of pages: 12

Abstract/Description:

Through recognition of the relevance and African context of transnational crimes, this chapter considers the facilitating factors and attitudes contributing to such crimes and what the African Union (AU) is doing to address them. By analysing the historical background and the interlinkages between politics and transnational crimes, how the crimes have been taken from the illicit into the licit becomes clear. The means and methods by which the AU attempts to address transnational crimes is assessed with reference to its approach towards corruption and trafficking in human beings, as well as the proposed International Criminal Law Section of the African Court. Examples of the methods include hard and soft law approaches, the promotion of harmonisation of laws and cooperative efforts with the African Regional Economic Communities and Mechanisms, and non-African organisations and institutions. Yet, despite AU efforts, the initiatives and approaches have gained limited traction.