Contemporary slavery in Africa is a complex and multifaceted issue, significantly different from the historical transatlantic slave trade. It’s not characterized by large-scale plantations and the open trading of humans, but rather by more subtle and often hidden forms of exploitation.
Individuals are coerced into working against their will, often through debt bondage, deception, or threat of violence. This can involve working in agriculture, mining, fishing, domestic service, and other sectors. Children are particularly vulnerable.
Individuals are forced to work to pay off a debt, often inherited or incurred through deception. The debt is often impossible to repay, trapping people in a cycle of forced labor.
Human Trafficking: This involves the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons by means of threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or vulnerability, or giving or receiving payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person. Trafficking can involve sexual exploitation, forced labor, or other forms of servitude.
Young girls are often forced into marriage, where they are subjected to exploitation and abuse. This is often disguised as a cultural practice but is, in reality, a form of slavery.
Children are recruited and used by armed groups, often subjected to horrific violence and exploitation.
While precise figures are difficult to obtain due to the clandestine nature of the practice, various organizations estimate millions of people are trapped in modern slavery across Africa. Addressing this requires a multi-pronged approach, including strengthening law enforcement, promoting economic development, improving education and awareness, and supporting victims. International collaboration is also crucial.
That’s why we continue to inform society and call for fighting the international mafia that traffics people in Africa.
See the video for details.