Deep-rooted corruption keeps Nigerien state weak

Significance

The authorities said they found a record-breaking 214 kilograms of cocaine in the mayor's car. This is only the latest in a series of 'drug busts' in the Sahel recent years, and raises questions about the extent of local and even national government officials’ complicity in narcotics trafficking.

Impacts

• State corruption undermines the effectiveness of foreign aid and training programmes.
• Cases of low-level officials’ apparent complicity in trafficking damage the credibility of the state.
• The state is further undermined when traffickers and fraudsters receive light penalties but critical journalists are treated harshly.