At a Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN) event, renowned Kenyan scholar and public law professor PLO Lumumba delivered a powerful keynote address on the urgent need to combat human trafficking across Africa.
Introduced by Father Cornelius Okke, Lumumba’s extensive academic and professional background was highlighted, including his expertise in public law, humanitarian law, and leadership in anti-corruption initiatives.
Lumumba painted a sobering picture of Africa’s current challenges, citing conflicts in Sudan, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic that fuel displacement and instability. He emphasized that without genuine peace, Africa cannot unlock its full potential.
Drawing on Christianity, African spirituality (Ubuntu), and Islam, Lumumba underscored the shared moral imperative to protect human dignity. He revealed alarming statistics, estimating that nearly 7 million Africans are victims of trafficking, a figure he described as conservative.
Despite international and African legal frameworks such as the UN Charter, the Geneva Conventions, and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, Lumumba questioned why trafficking persists. He criticized religious practices that prioritize prayer over action and warned against the “thingification” of human beings—reducing them to commodities.
Sharing testimonies of survivors, including a woman trafficked to Saudi Arabia who endured severe abuse, Lumumba condemned African politicians who promote overseas jobs while ignoring the exploitation many face abroad.
His call to action was clear: Africans must confront the root causes of trafficking—economic desperation and lack of opportunity—by harnessing the continent’s vast resources and intellect. He urged resilience, sacrifice, and intergenerational commitment, invoking historical and religious narratives of perseverance.
Lumumba concluded with a rallying cry for unity, insisting that Africa must stop making excuses and coordinate efforts to form a continental force against human trafficking.