The European Union has intensified its crackdown on illicit Russian oil trade, targeting nations accused of enabling the transport of sanctioned fuel. Among the first to respond, Cameroon has implemented sweeping reforms to end the fraudulent use of its shipping registries. While Brussels bears the brunt of the political fallout, behind the scenes, a select group of countries is quietly sharing critical intelligence to strengthen the bloc’s enforcement efforts.

By Yacouba Ouédraogo — Investigative journalist