Sudan to combat human trafficking

A senior minister in the Sudanese government has confirmed that the country is working with neighbouring states to combat human trafficking, which has become increasingly widespread in recent months. Speaking during a state-run radio broadcast yesterday, Interior Minister Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid announced that the Sudanese government is working with countries such as Eritrea and Ethiopia to combat the “worrying” incidents of human – and in some cases organ - trafficking to countries such as Saudi Arabia and Israel which are on the rise in eastern Sudan. He revealed that several gangs responsible for trafficking have already been arrested. "Sudan coordinates on several levels to combat human trafficking: on the regional level with Ethiopia, Eritrea, Chad, and Central African Republic, on the Arab level with the Arab interior ministers council, on the international level with Interpol,” said Hamid. "This coordination is intended to limit the human trafficking to Saudi Arabia and Israel through the eastern borders and to exchange information, organise training workshops, and swap technical support in the police field," he added. Hamid also pledged that his ministry will work hard in tackling the widespread looting taking place in Darfur by armed militia, adding that despite such incidents security in Sudan is currently stable. He was keen to point out that crime rates have dropped significantly in the country, and would continues to do so as the state continues to combat insurgents in the South of Kordofan. “Thousands of citizens are returning everyday from Ethiopia to Blue Nile because of stability,” he said. The minister also confirmed that the state is planning to build a national register, designed to help security and political planning, revealing that the project has been approved for funding and should be completed within three years.