Ouagadougou Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings, Especially Women and Children ( 11/2006)

The Ouagadougou Plan of Action aims to establish general principles, to raise prevention and awareness, to set up protection and assistance in support of victims, to implement legislative frameworks and policy development, to improve law enforcement, and to establish cooperation and coordination between ratifying states.

Also see: the AU 2019 Evaluation report of implementation status of 2006 Ouagadougou Plan of Action

Migration Policy Framework for Africa and its Plan of Action (2018 – 2030)

The Migration Policy Framework for Africa (2018-2030) and its Plan of Action are a revision of the 2006 AU Migration Policy Framework adopted in Banjul (the Gambia). It provides guidelines regarding nine thematic areas: migration governance, labor migration and education, diaspora engagement, border governance, irregular migration, forced displacement, internal migration, migration and trade, as well as other issues. It aims to guide partner states and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in the management of migration and of the various dynamics related to it.

• See: 5. Irregular      migration – (pages 48 to 57)

African Union meetings and sessions

Executive Council of the African Union – IX Ordinary Session – Decision EX.CL/276 (6/ 2006)

The above mentioned Migration Policy Framework for Africa (2018-2030), identified nine key thematic issues: labor migration, border management, irregular migration, forced displacement, human rights of migrants, internal migration, migration data, migration and development, inter-state cooperation and partnerships. It aims to provide a range of recommendations concerning various migration issues, so as to guide governments and RECs.

• See: 2. Irregular      migration - (page 15 of the document)

African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala Convention) (2009)

The Member States of the African Union in the Kampala Convention established national and regional measures to protect displaced persons, and more specifically women and children.

In particular, Article 9 of the Kampala Convention recites as follows: 

Assistance during Internal Displacement

States Parties shall protect the rights of internally displaced persons regardless of the cause of displacement by refraining from, and preventing, the following acts, amongst others:

[…[§d. Sexual and gender-based violence in all its forms, notably rape, enforced prostitution, sexual exploitation and harmful practices, slavery, recruitment of children and their use in hostilities, forced labor and human trafficking and smuggling; […]

African Union Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation (Niamey Convention) (2014)

The Niamey Convention has seven main objectives:

• Promote cross-border      cooperation, at local, sub-regional and regional levels

• Seize opportunities arising from common borders and address related challenges

• Facilitate the delimitation, demarcation and reaffirmation of interstate borders, in      conformity with mechanisms agreed upon by the parties concerned

• Facilitate the peaceful resolution of borders disputes

• Ensure efficient and effective integrated border management

• Transform border areas into catalysts for growth, socio economic and political integration across the continent

• Promote peace and stability through conflict prevention, integration and increased unity

Common African Position on the Global Compact for safe, orderly and regular migration (10/2017)

Theme 2 or the Compact of the Common African Position on the Global Compact addresses human rights of all migrants, comprising social inclusion, and cohesion against all forms of discrimination - racism, xenophobia, gender discrimination and intolerance (See: page 12 of the document). Theme 3 covers smuggling of migrants, trafficking in persons and modern slavery (See: page 13 of the document).