IJA and SCUOLA strengthen judicial capacity to combat wildlife and natural resources crime

LUSHOTO: The Institute of Judicial Administration Lushoto (IJA), in collaboration with the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies (Scuola) of Italy, has commenced a specialised three-day training for Resident Magistrates and Public Prosecutors aimed at strengthening their capacity to effectively handle cases involving transnational wildlife and natural resources crime.

The training, which began on 21 September 2026, was opened virtually by the Ambassador of Italy to Tanzania, H.E. Giuseppe Coppola. The programme is financed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The training brings together experts and practitioners from Tanzania and Italy to equip participants with knowledge, practical skills and experience in investigating, prosecuting and adjudicating wildlife and natural resources-related offences. Particular emphasis is being placed on the complexities of transnational crime, which often involves multiple jurisdictions, actors, routes and forms of evidence.

Speaking during the opening session, H.E. Ambassador Coppola underscored the importance of the training at a time when wildlife and natural resources crime continues to pose a significant challenge that extends beyond national borders.

He stressed the importance of strengthening judicial cooperation between Tanzania and Italy in addressing such crimes and reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to further deepening cooperation with Tanzania, including through the sharing of expertise, experience and effective approaches to combating wildlife and natural resources crime.
On behalf of IJA, the Institute’s Principal and Justice of Appeal, Hon. Dr. Paul Faustin Kihwelo, highlighted Tanzania’s rich endowment of wildlife, forests and other natural resources, noting the importance of strengthening legal and institutional frameworks to protect these resources from criminal activities.

Hon. Dr. Kihwelo said the training is particularly important for Prosecutors and Public Prosecutors as it seeks to strengthen their capacity in case preparation, presentation of evidence and effective prosecution of cases, especially those involving cross-border criminal activities and multiple jurisdictions.

For Resident Magistrates, he noted that the programme provides an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the challenges associated with adjudicating complex cases involving multiple jurisdictions, modern criminal methods and specialised forms of evidence.

Through the training, Prosecutors are expected to strengthen their knowledge and practical skills in areas including investigation of wildlife and natural resources offences, collection and preservation of evidence, prosecution of cases, and understanding the relevant legal and institutional frameworks governing such offences.

The programme forms part of an ongoing partnership between IJA and Scuola aimed at strengthening the capacity of judicial officers, State Attorneys and Public Prosecutors to effectively respond to transnational and environmental crime. Previous training programmes under the partnership were conducted in September 2025 and March 2026.

The earlier programmes addressed international cooperation in the extradition of suspects in relation to transnational offences, including trafficking in persons, drug trafficking, money laundering, terrorism, illicit arms trafficking, poaching and cybercrime, as well as approaches to combating environmental crime.