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ADDIS ABABA, June 14 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) on Friday expressed its "deep concern" over the increasing trend of drug-related crimes in Guinea-Bissau.
The AU urged the authorities of Guinea-Bissau to take appropriate measures to halt the growing problem, which "remains Guinea-Bissau's major security concern and contributes to the instability of the country," the statement said.
The 55-member pan-African bloc also "urged the government of Guinea-Bissau to strengthen the national laws to be able to address the drug-related crimes."
Since the mid-2000s, the illicit cocaine trade has become increasingly active in Guinea-Bissau. The United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime referred to the nation as Africa's first "narco-state" in 2008.
