Fighting against human trafficking in the Gulf of Guinea

With Myss Belmonde Dogo, Minister of National Cohesion, Solidarity and the Fight Against Poverty in Côte d’Ivoire
What is your approach to human trafficking?
In the Gulf of Guinea, human trafficking is circular and crosses borders: these countries are territories of origin, transit, and destination for trafficking victims. As part of a project to support the fight against human trafficking in the Gulf of Guinea (ALTP), Expertise France is working with authorities and civil society in six countries in the region.

What does Expertise France contribute to this project?
The productive partnership between the ministry and Expertise France has led to specific actions: renovation of the headquarters of the Executive Secretariat of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, reinforcement of the technical secretariat’s capacities, and the acquisition of equipment needed to launch a new database. Expertise France has also helped us take more structural actions, such as setting up seven regional units to fight against trafficking, developing a national referral system and victim support procedures, and capacity building on this topic for stakeholders in the penal system.
What challenges must be overcome to fight more effectively against human trafficking in the coming years?
We must keep strengthening the legal framework, finalize and launch the database, and expand awareness-raising campaigns by including survivors. To eradicate the trafficking pattern in the Gulf of Guinea, we need a holistic approach based on improved cooperation between countries and stakeholders. Our work on the ground will soon be strengthened by the creation of new regional units, a victim services center, and a dedicated hotline.
Interview conducted in May 2024.
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