US pledges support in human trafficking fight
DAR ES SALAAM: THE United States has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Tanzania’s efforts in combating human trafficking.
Speaking at the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) alumni event in Dar es Salaam last Thursday, U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr. Michael Battle, underscored the importance of collaboration between the two nations in tackling this severe issue.
“I want to begin by affirming the U.S. government’s unwavering commitment to combating trafficking in persons,” said Ambassador Battle.
“This is a critical component of our mission to advance peace and security, both here in Tanzania and across the region.” He added, “This fight is not yours to bear alone; it’s a global battle against every form of human rights violation linked to human trafficking.
You are not alone in this struggle.” ILEA, a U.S.-funded law enforcement academy, operates with contributions from the government of Botswana and provides training for tackling transnational crimes, including human trafficking and drug abuse.
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It serves middle managers from eligible sub-Saharan African countries, including Tanzania. Based in Gaborone, Botswana, ILEA has trained over 734 Tanzanian officials across various sectors, including the police force, wildlife, drug enforcement, and the judiciary.
At the event, Ambassador Battle encouraged continued strategic actions to identify, investigate and prosecute human traffickers. He emphasised that the efforts of law enforcement officers are crucial for protecting individuals, strengthening the rule of law and upholding human rights.
The Ambassador also urged officers to implement and enforce policies that align with international human rights and anti-trafficking standards, and to approach their duties with strong ethical leadership.
He stressed the importance of ongoing collaboration and leveraging the professional network formed through ILEA, advocating for the sharing of best practices.
“I encourage you to continue building and strengthening these relationships, as they are essential to our collective success,” he said.
Mr Ahmad Mwendadi, Head of Training, Advocacy and International Cooperation at the Ministry of Home Affairs and an ILEA alumnus, highlighted the persistent human trafficking cases affecting various regions in Tanzania.
He reiterated the government’s request for US support, including technical expertise on combating trafficking in the digital era. Mwendadi identified family conflicts, poverty and unemployment as contributing factors to the rise in human trafficking.
He noted that some citizens are lured by false promises of education abroad, only to be exploited as domestic workers. Additionally, traffickers are using online scams to recruit victims.
