The AACC Holds High-Level Consultation on Migration, Trafficking in Persons, and Modern Slavery.

Migration, both regular and irregular, alongside trafficking in persons and modern-day slavery, continues to plague Africa, often leading to tragic deaths. Since 2014, over 9,000 men, women, and children have died while attempting to migrate from Africa, according to the IOM's Missing Migrants Project, with numbers rising each year.

To address this crisis, the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) is hosting a high-level consultation on Migration, Trafficking in Persons, and Modern Slavery from October 8th to 10th. This event aims to unite key stakeholders, including government representatives, civil society organizations, and international bodies, to develop effective strategies and policies.

Held at the Desmond Tutu Conference Centre, the AACC proudly champions this critical conversation. Committed to safeguarding human dignity, the AACC has previously organized regional consultations across West, Central, East, and Southern Africa. These efforts aimed to understand migration patterns better and consolidate data from various government authorities, providing a foundation for policy recommendations to address this continental issue.

In his opening remarks, Rev. Dr. Fidon Mwombeki, General Secretary of the AACC, emphasized the dire circumstances forcing many young Africans to migrate for better living conditions. He asserted, "Human trafficking and modern slavery are odious crimes that have no place in a just society." Rev. Dr. Mwombeki also criticized the competition among African governments to enter Bilateral Labor Agreements (BLA) with foreign countries, often neglecting the protection of migrating youths' rights. He urged churches to actively denounce these practices and engage in discussions to eradicate this scourge.

"Together, we can build a free, fair, and prosperous Africa where every person has the right to live in dignity, freedom, and peace. An Africa where every dream can come true, and every African is proud to stay in Africa: My Home, My Future." He concluded. 

In photo - [ General Secretary Rev. Dr. Fidon Mwombeki giving his opening remarks during the conference ]