Mwinyi emphasises commitment in battle against illicit drugs
ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR President Hussein Mwinyi has underscored the growing threat of the illicit drug trade in Africa, emphasising that overcoming this challenge requires collective responsibility and unwavering determination.
“In order to win the war against illicit drugs, every country must spare no effort and adopt effective measures,” Dr Mwinyi declared in a speech delivered at the opening of the ‘Third High-Level Consultation Meeting of the East & Southern Africa Commission on Drugs (ESACD).’
The president’s speech was read by Zanzibar’s Second Vice-President, Hemed Suleiman Abdulla, at the event held here on Tuesday.
Abdulla affirmed the commitment of both the Zanzibar and Union governments to eradicate the drug menace in the region and across Africa.
The ESACD conference gathers prominent stakeholders from Eastern and Southern Africa to discuss and strategise on addressing drug markets, trafficking and consumption. The focus includes synthetics, services, surveillance and strategic responses to these issues.
Dr Mwinyi commended the Drug Control & Enforcement Authority (DCEA) on the Tanzanian mainland and the Zanzibar Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (ZDCEA) for their efforts in combating drug trafficking.
He noted that improved policies and laws have contributed to their successes, but emphasised that the battle continues and requires robust regional and global collaboration.
From 2017 to April this year, the Tanzanian mainland authorities seized 1,971.9 tonnes of cannabis (bhang), 337.7 tonnes of khat (mirungi), 3,536.1 kilogrammes of heroin, 61.5 kilogrammes of cocaine and 2,936.49 kilogrammes of methamphetamine.
During the same period in Zanzibar, the ZDCEA confiscated 1,355.62 kilogrammes of various drugs, apprehended 518 suspects (including 31 women) and seized properties worth over 15.3bn/- linked to drug activities.
To bolster the fight against drugs, the Tanzanian government has invested in healthcare for drug addicts, establishing 16 Medically Assisted Therapy (MAT) centres on the mainland.
In Zanzibar, public awareness programmes and treatment services are being provided at a newly established centre in the Unguja Central District.
ESACD Chairman, Mr Kgalema Motlanthe, former President of South Africa, addressed the meeting, stating, “Science can and should play a role in reinforcing health and human rights approaches to drug policy, as well as in achieving social justice.”
He advocated for a shift from harsh prohibition measures to more humane and effective policies based on scientific evidence, public health principles and human rights standards.
“We must end the practice of arresting individuals solely for drug use or possession for personal use. Instead, our focus should be on prosecuting those at the top of drug trafficking organisations.”
Ms Maria Sabbatelli, representing the European Commission’s Global Trans-regional Threats and Challenges service, emphasised that effective drug policies should be grounded in sustainable development, harm reduction, health promotion and human rights.
She highlighted the significant challenge posed by synthetic drugs and called for new approaches from both public security and health perspectives, including enhanced regional cooperation and capacity building.
Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development at the African Union, Madame Ambassador Minata Cessouma, stressed the importance of the meeting.
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“Our discussions on drug reform trends, maritime drug trafficking, law enforcement strategies and establishing a Regional Drug Observatory are crucial to our security and development goals.”
Madame Cessouma reiterated the AU’s commitment to addressing the threats of drug trafficking and abuse, aiming to improve the health, security and socio-economic well-being of the continent’s people by tackling drug-related issues comprehensively.
