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Tanzania calls for laws to check migration, cross-border crimes

Xinhua, October 22, 2016 Adjust font size:

A senior Tanzanian government official has proposed for the enactment of laws to govern migration of people to Europe and within the southern African region and check cross-border crimes.

Augustine Mahiga, the east African nation's Minister for Foreign Affairs, said on Friday the scourge of illegal migration and cross-border crimes has increased rapidly in recent years both towards Europe and within southern Africa.

He was speaking in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam at the opening session of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC)-European Union (EU) Policy Dialogue on peace and security.

He said: "Terrorism and cross-border organized crime continues to impact countries around the world."

Mahiga added: "A number of African teenagers have been killed when attempting to migrate to European countries and within southern African countries."

On democratization, the minister said SADC member states have made significant progress in conducting democratic elections.

"We have made deliberate efforts to ensure that the member states adhere to the SADC principles and guidelines governing democratic elections," said Mahiga.

Stergomena Lawrence, the SADC Executive Secretary, said SADC and EU regions are faced with various challenges related to peace, security and stability in different forms and intensity.

Lawrence said: "It is important to note that SADC and EU share many aspirations with regard to our ambitions to foster peace, stability and democratic governance and enhanced public security as fundamental elements in strengthening regional integration and social economic development."

She said SADC has adopted an anti-terrorism strategy and regional strategy to combat illegal migration, smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons.

"We hope that the EU has also developed responses to the migration crisis and several policy instruments related to EU cooperation with respect to counter-terrorism," she added.

Roeland Van De Geer, the EU head of delegation to Tanzania, said the EU will continue nurturing the long standing partnership with SADC countries. Endit