CCCPA, kickstarts on-ground implementation of the second cooperation project with the Government of Switzerland- State Secretariat for Migration- through the United Nations Development Programme in Egypt (UNDP), with its training on “Breaking Chains: Advancing Comprehensive Responses to Combat Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants” in Juba held between 23-27 September 2024, in partnership with the Ministries of Interior and Peacebuilding in South Sudan.

The training took place against the backdrop of an evolving peace and security landscape in the Horn of Africa, where South Sudan is grappling with the heightened impacts of protracted displacement. These challenges are increasing the hardships experienced by affected communities-displaced and hosts—limiting access to dwindling resources, fueling intercommunal tensions, and in particular, hindering national efforts toward social cohesion and long-term sustainable peace and development. As a result, affected communities are increasingly resorting to negative coping mechanisms, particularly human trafficking and smuggling of migrants, with women and children being disproportionally affected.

Against this background, the training addresses the root causes of forced displacement in the Horn of Africa and its associated risks. It also examines the different manifestations of smuggling of migrants (SOM) and trafficking in persons (TIP) in South Sudan, in light of the recent regional developments, with the aim of strengthening institutional capacities to effectively prevent and combat these crimes. The training draws on Egypt’s long-standing experience in combating trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, while taking into account the specific context in South Sudan. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of mainstreaming gender in the design and implementation of anti-trafficking responses, within the framework of Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PRCD) efforts, recognizing the pivotal role of women in fostering inclusive and durable peace in their communities.

During the opening ceremony, CCCPA stated that the training comes in line with Egypt’s unwavering commitment to promoting peace and stability in Africa, as well as its championship of Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) efforts. CCCPA further noted that the training is part of the ongoing efforts to operationalize the relevant Conclusions of the Fourth Edition of the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development (2024). These conclusions highlight the need to address the interlinkages between human mobility, fragility, and conflict, and their implications on peace and security, through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, with the view to advance “coordinated efforts and interventions among relevant local and national actors to provide nationally-owned, comprehensive, inclusive, and durable recovery and development plans.”

The Center expressed its appreciation to the Ministries of Interior and Peacebuilding in South Sudan for their support to the on-ground implementation of the training. Additionally, CCCPA extended its gratitude to the Government of Switzerland- State Secretariat for Migration- for its continuous support of the Center’s activities, particularly the Transnational Threats Program, and the fruitful cooperation in launching the second project. This collaboration takes place within the context of the excellent relations between the two countries.

On her part, South Sudan’s Minister of Interior, Honorable/ Angelina Teny, reaffirmed her country's commitment to promoting sustainable peace and development in the Horn of Africa, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation, particularly with Egypt. She expressed her appreciation to Egypt -through CCCPA- and Switzerland, for their steadfast support in strengthening the capacities of South Sudanese officials and institutions to address transnational threats as well as the displacement crisis resulting from the conflict in Sudan.

In his intervention, Mr. Johan Gély, Head of the Swiss Cooperation Office in South Sudan, reaffirmed that the new project builds on the successes and lessons learned from the implementation of the first project (2019-2021), and marks the commitment from both CCCPA and the Swiss government to strengthen African capacities in addressing transnational threats. Mr. Gély complimented the Center for its expertise in the field of training and capacity building across the African continent, recognizing Egypt’s key role in promoting international and regional peace and stability, and its extensive efforts in combating human trafficking and smuggling of migrants. He further highlighted the project’s timely intervention in enhancing the capacities of frontline officers to effectively respond to the challenges associated with forced displacement.   

The training drew on the expertise of Egyptian officials from a wide range of Egyptian national entities, including the Ministry of Justice, the Public Prosecution Office, the Administrative Control Authority, and the National Coordinating Committee for Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons (NCCPIM-TIP). In addition, the training included sessions by representatives from international organizations, such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The training brought together government officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Defense, Justice, Peacebuilding, Gender, Child and Social Welfare, along with representatives from the General Intelligence Bureau and the Technical Task Force on Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants.