FROM 23RD – 25TH JUNE 2025, DAR SALAAM, TANZANIA

Your Excellencies

Distinguished representatives of the Government of Botswana, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Tanzania

Distinguished Representative from INTERPOL, IOM, UNODC and ROCK, colleagues from the AU Commission
Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is with great honor that I welcome you to this pivotal training workshop on “Strengthening Border Management for AU Member States on the Southern Migratory Route to Combat Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants.” On behalf of the African Union Commission, and the Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, I would like to welcome all of you to this training workshop.

On the onset, allow me to express my gratitude to all participating Member States and partners for finding time to attend this meeting. Further allow me to express our sincere appreciation to the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania for accepting to host this meeting in this beautiful city of Dar es salaam, and for according us hospitality since our arrival, including the seamless entry into the country through the provision of visa on arrival for those that required visas.

Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Throughout the years, there has been a rise in irregular migration across Africa due to various intricate factors, including escalating poverty levels, the effects of climate change, political unrest, ongoing conflicts, and increasing inequality and discrimination in certain Member States.

Irregular migration remains one of the most pressing challenges facing the African continent. Like in other regions, there has been a rise in irregular migration on the Southern Migratory Route, due to various factors, including escalating poverty levels, the effects of climate change, political unrest, ongoing conflicts, and increasing social inequality. The confluence of these factors has led many of our citizens, especially youth, women and children to embark on migration, in most cases using routes and means fraught with dangers, including making use of smugglers, or falling prey to human. They are often abused through forced labor, sexual exploitation and organ removal. These illicit activities not only violate human rights but also fuel transnational organized crime, threatening the security and development of the region, making it a critical focus area for operational interventions.

Therefore, this gathering marks a significant step forward in our collective efforts to address the complex and growing challenges posed by irregular migration, particularly Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM), along the Southern Migratory Route

Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

This training workshop is the direct outcome of the June 2024 Stakeholder Consultative Meeting convened by the African Union Commission, which brought together national, regional, and international law enforcement agencies, alongside multilateral partners. The meeting culminated in a firm commitment by Member States along the Southern Migratory Route to engage in joint operations aimed at dismantling trafficking and smuggling networks.

The African Union has long recognized the imperative to combat TIP and SOM through comprehensive policy frameworks and institutional mechanisms. Our commitment is reflected in the Migration Policy Framework for Africa, in the Policies on the Prevention of TIP and SOM, which emphasize strengthening bilateral and regional collaboration. Additionally, the establishment of the AU Continental Operational Center in Khartoum (COC), a specialized technical agency responsible for coordinating anti-TIP and anti-SOM, further enhances our operational capacity by facilitating coordinated information and intelligence sharing, including joint action among Member States. Furthermore, the Labour Employment and Migration Division and the AU migration related research Centers in Mali and in Morocco have become a cornerstone in the AU’s broader strategy, ensuring that policies and operational plans are aligned with international frameworks and best practices in border management

Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

This training workshop on “Strengthening Border Management for AU Member States on the Southern Migratory Route to Combat Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants” is a landmark engagement designed to elevate border management practices across the Horn of Africa, East Africa, and the Southern African regions.

Over the course of this workshop, participants will engage with a robust agenda covering critical topics such as the latest trends and modus operandi of traffickers and smugglers, judicial cooperation, protection concerns for TIP and SOM victims and survivors, and the use of advanced technologies including INTERPOL Mobile Devices for cross-border operations. Sessions will also include country experiences on joint investigations, repatriation of victims, and national referral mechanisms, culminating in the preparation of a comprehensive workshop report with actionable recommendations.

Furthermore, the training workshop aligns with a set of strategic priorities that the AU has identified for the Southern Migratory Route:
• Enhanced Operational Readiness: Ensuring that Law enforcement agencies are well-equipped and prepared to respond to evolving threats in a unified and coordinated manner.
• Strengthened Inter-Agency Collaboration: Strengthening robust collaboration among regional partners (AU Horn Africa Initiative, COC, RECs, multilateral partners) to foster cooperation, intelligence sharing, and coordinated actions.
• Policy Harmonization and Standardization: Promoting uniformity in legal and policy approaches across Member States to facilitate smoother operational integration and reliable intelligence sharing.
Our current training is therefore designed to prepare Law enforcement officials to effectively participate in future operations

Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Looking ahead, this training is not an end in itself, but a vital foundation for operational synergy. The knowledge and skills gained here will directly feed into the forthcoming INTERPOL-led Operation Usalama, enabling the deployment of well-prepared Law enforcement officers from participating countries to conduct effective joint operations. This synergy exemplifies the power of inter-state dialogue and collaboration in addressing irregular migration challenges.

Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
In closing, I commend all partners and participants for their dedication and look forward to the fruitful outcomes of this workshop, which will undoubtedly strengthen our collective resolve and capacity to combat TIP and SOM along the Southern Migratory Route.

I thank you/