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St. Bakhita Feast Day Stirs Renewed Fight against Human Trafficking in over 30 African Countries

Poster announcing a campaign organized by PACTPAN to end human trafficking. Credit: PACTPAN

Over 30 African countries have confirmed their participation in the February 8 campaign to end human trafficking, which the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN) has organized.

February 8, the Feast Day of St. Josephine Bakhita, a former slave of Sudanese descent and Patron Saint of victims of human trafficking, is designated for prayer and awareness against the menace of human trafficking.

This year, over 30 countries in Africa are to celebrate Holy Mass in what is probably one of the biggest campaigns PACTPAN theologians have organized to create awareness against human trafficking. Peaceful marches have also been organized in the countries that have confirmed their participation in the campaign to undertaken under the theme, “Restoring Hope in Africa: A Jubilee Call to End Human Trafficking”.

Uganda’s Vice President, Jessica Rose Epel Alupo, is set to deliver a keynote address on the theme of the campaign. In the whole of East Africa in particular, Uganda has been said to be the most hospitable to refugees, especially from South Sudan; some of them are victims of human trafficking.

Coordinating the campaign is PACTPAN’s Director of Programs, Sr. Leonida Katunge, who shared details of the event with ACI Africa. 

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The member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa, (SSJ Mombasa) said that a total of 22,500 members from 35 countries have already registered to take part in the campaign physically through peaceful demonstrations and prayer events.

Out of the 35 countries, only 10 will not be taking part in physical gatherings owing to political instabilities they are experiencing, Sr. Katunge told ACI Africa on January 29.

“We have up to 10 countries where members will not go to the streets due to their current political upheavals. These include the Democratic Republic of Congo where there is widespread violence. These countries will follow the live stream on the PACTPAN YouTube channel,” she said, and added, “We are out to walk together, even on social media platforms, to fight this war.”

Countries that have shared their programs for the campaign, especially on the Feats Day of St. Bakhita include Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Lesotho, Cameroon, Tanzania, and Senegal.

In South Sudan, Giningakpio Justin Dapu, who is organizing the PACTPAN campaign in the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio (CDTY) told ACI Africa that over 1,000 people in the South Sudanese Diocese have already registered for the mega event. 

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“We have mobilized 1,300 people who will participate in the campaign on the 8th of February. We have formed a team of 35 very well trained and knowledgeable people who are in charge of the logistics of the campaign. They are the ones in charge of ground preparation, awareness creation and mobilization,” Dapu said in the January 29 interview.

He said the people of God in South Sudan, the world’s newest nation which used to be part of Sudan specifically feel enjoined in the celebration of the Feast Day of St. Bakhita.   

“In fact, as part of our campaign against human trafficking, we plan to start a devotional group named St. Bakhita to deeply seek her intersession in this fight,” Dapu further said.

Highlighting the events leading to the February 8 campaign, and the rallying of over 30 countries to participate in the event, Sr. Katunge said, “We began by calling for a webinar through various networks where I am a member. I then had some human trafficking survivors speak to us. Then we thought it wise to involve the continent and this is what basically we did since December 2024, and we are still struggling to get there.”

Sr. Katunge told ACI Africa that PACTPAN has, over the years, invested in grassroots collaborations to address issues affecting African communities, such as human trafficking.

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She said that PACTPAN’s shared vision of addressing human trafficking resonated with many African leaders, adding that the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year also inspired widespread participation.

The Catholic Nun who headed the national steering committee for Kenyan participants in the dialogue between Pope Francis and the African youths explained that the campaign against human trafficking is deeply connected to the theme of the 2025 Jubilee Year, “Pilgrims of Hope”.

“We are basing ourselves on the Gospel of Luke’s call to liberation, and justice for all captives and, this time, those tied to modern slavery,” Sr. Katunge said in the January 29 interview with ACI Africa.

She said that the PACTPAN campaign embodies the call for freedom by addressing modern-day slavery and exploitation, encouraging healing, and fostering hope among communities in Africa.

Describing the dire human trafficking situation in Africa, the Catholic Nun who is a practicing Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and majors on property law and family law highlighted cases of forced labour, sexual exploitation, child trafficking, as well as organ harvesting, a vice she said is “getting worse day after day”.

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“During my research and the documentary compilation, I listened to many cases of trafficking of women from West Africa to Europe and the Middle East,” Sr. Katunge said of the documentary she compiled in May 2024, also showcasing exploitation of children in conflict zones.

PACTPAN’s planned march against human trafficking organized in partnerships with church networks, NGOs, youth organizations, and governmental agencies will feature a clear itinerary, including starting points in key African cities, messages of hope, prayers, and moments of silence for victims.  “Logistics such as transportation, security, and media coverage are being handled collaboratively and locally to ensure success,” Sr. Katunge said.

According to the Kenyan member of the SSJ Mombasa, the participation of a Vice President in the campaign brings significant credibility, visibility, and influence to the event. 

“It demonstrates high-level political commitment, encouraging other leaders to prioritize anti-trafficking efforts, and amplifies the campaign’s reach across national and regional levels,” Sr. Katunge told ACI Africa. 

PACTPAN has lined up various other activities in the context of the 2025 Jubilee Year celebrations to raise awareness against human trafficking in Africa. According to the PACTPAN’s Director of Programs, “The campaign runs to 2030 and the war goes on.”

“We will take part in the UN day for trafficked persons on the 30th of July from this year until 2030. We plan to have a continental team that will fight this war in these years,” Sr. Katunge said.

She further divulged that there will be interfaith prayers for victims of human trafficking, workshops to educate communities on identifying trafficking networks, as well as fundraising events to support survivors.

Policy forums are also to be held to advocate for stricter anti-trafficking measures, Sr. Katunge said, adding that cultural festivals will also be held to promote unity and hope during the 2025 Jubilee Year, which Pope Francis officially launched on 2024 Christmas Eve with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica of Rome.

The PACTPAN official said that the network of African theologians also plans to have a center in Africa where young people, especially girls, will be equipped with skills to shield them from traffickers. 

“Telling these girls to stop going to these countries where they are trafficked is one thing. But how are we supporting them if they stay?” she posed, and continued, “We want to collaborate with the States to keep these young people at home and to provide them with training and jobs. It is possible and we are sure we will get there.”

Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.