CSOs in Kambia Urge Government to Strengthen Security Measures to Combat Human Trafficking
By Ibrahim S. Bangura
Kambia, Sierra Leone – Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Kambia district are urging the Sierra Leonean government to strengthen border security in an effort to combat the rising issue of human trafficking. The district, which shares over 300 porous border crossing points with Guinea, has become a hotspot for trafficking activities, with local CSOs highlighting the difficulties in monitoring and managing the situation due to inadequate security systems.
Speaking on Tuesday, September 19, 2024, Alie Conteh, the Coordinator of Action for Youth and Children’s Network (AYCN) and former Secretary General of the CSOs, stressed that traffickers are exploiting the district’s unmonitored crossing points. “Traffickers often avoid detection by using less scrutinized routes, making law enforcement nearly impossible without a robust security presence,” Conteh said.
He explained that traffickers deceive security personnel by claiming they are transporting children for legitimate purposes, such as attending ceremonies or engaging in cross-border trade. They frequently use commercial motorbike riders to transport victims, instructing them to take cheaper, less monitored paths to evade detection.
This issue was recently underscored when an ambassador facilitated the repatriation of over 30 trafficked individuals, highlighting the ongoing crisis. Conteh noted that while initial cooperation with local motorbike riders helped curb trafficking incidents, the situation deteriorated after police began detaining both bike riders and suspected traffickers. “The police have worsened the problem by arresting those who report trafficking cases. This is concerning for both authorities and the public as human trafficking continues to grow,” he stated.
The crackdown has reportedly instilled fear among bike riders, leading to a breakdown in cooperation with authorities. This lack of trust has allowed traffickers to resume exploiting young people, luring them with false promises of employment in other African countries before forcing them into exploitative labor or commercial sex work. “They enrich themselves at the expense of our youth,” Conteh lamented.
In response, the CSOs are calling for urgent improvements in border security, particularly measures that protect informants and foster collaboration among various stakeholders. Conteh emphasized the need for a coordinated effort, urging the government to engage local residents, particularly the youth, to help monitor border activities. “A strong response is essential to protect vulnerable populations and combat this growing problem,” he said.
He also criticized the inefficiency of the national human rights commission’s toll line, pointing out that the long distance between Freetown and Kambia often results in delayed responses to trafficking incidents.
Osman Y. Bangura, an executive member of the local bike riders’ union, shared similar concerns, recounting instances where their members were arrested for reporting suspected child trafficking cases. “We know when traffickers are transporting people to Guinea. We don’t want to support such inhumane activities, so we report it. But the police make us part of the problem, and this has discouraged us from coming forward,” Bangura said, adding that the situation has since worsened.
Efforts to reach the local police commander for comment have so far been unsuccessful.
As human trafficking continues to rise in Kambia, the CSOs stress the urgent need for a change in the approach of security forces. Without improved security and community involvement, they warn, the situation will likely escalate further.