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Hardly a week has passed since the Home Affairs minister, Mr Vuai
Nahodha, warned of stern disciplinary measures against immigration
officers condoning human trafficking. Yet 10 people believed to be
Somali nationals reportedly suffocated to death in the back of a truck
in Morogoro as they travelled south. This brings to 20 the number of Somali illegal immigrants who have died in a week. Illegal immigrants from Somalia and Ethiopia take advantage of corruption and lax security at border crossings.
But, because of the presence of police patrols on major highways, such people usually travel in vehicles that lack ventilation. They are often camouflaged.
Such operations are closely coordinated and monitored by local agents of human traffickers.
The government must, therefore, prosecute the agents who collude with the human traffickers before it moves to punish corrupt immigration officers.
The trend is a matter of concern in eastern and southern Africa and calls for joint efforts to tighten security, especially now that terrorist attacks have become commonplace worldwide.
The minister’s warning is timely and important but, considering the country’s long borders and many panya routes, it is important that security is also boosted along the common borders.
Border communities must be encouraged to be vigilant so as to detect and report suspect strangers to local authorities. We also suggest the naming and shaming of dishonest immigration officials who condone human trafficking.
Illegal immigrants can and often do pose great danger to local people. The situation in neighbouring Kenya offers an example of the threat to entire populations that can be caused by the Al-Shabaab terror group of Somalia.
Once such groups establish themselves in a country, no one can ever be safe. We have enjoyed peace since the US Embassy bombing of August 1998. The last thing Tanzania needs is terror attacks that can only cause panic—and lead to more deaths.