Exposing the Epidemic of Human Trafficking from East Africa to the Middle East. In a chilling revelation, a former human trafficker confessed to Africa Faith and Justice Network on December 2, 2021, about the horrors he facilitated. His Middle Eastern partners shared a video depicting four men, aided by two dogs, brutally gang-raping a young woman he had trafficked.

This haunting image continues to torment him. His atrocities extend beyond Ugandan borders, encompassing victims from Kenya, Tanzania, and Burundi. The shocking reality of human trafficking shows proof of a pervasive evil that transcends borders and devastates lives.

Exposing the Epidemic of Human Trafficking from East Africa to the Middle East

The accounts of migrants being sold as slaves in Libya, as documented by Nima Elbagir in a YouTube video, and the BBC Africa Eye documentary revealing the “hell” of kafala jobs in the Middle East, serve as stark reminders of the pervasive nature of this heinous crime. Furthermore, the proliferation of social media platforms has enabled traffickers to showcase their atrocities, perpetuating a cycle of violence and exploitation.

Gay men are frequently sought after in the trafficking industry. Despite women comprising the majority of trafficking victims, males are also targeted. The former trafficker shared a photo of the only male he had ever trafficked. Although aware that the individual was not gay, he was trafficked because his associates specifically sought a gay male.

The nature of human trafficking extends beyond physical violence, encompassing psychological manipulation and economic coercion. Victims, often lured under false pretenses with promises of lucrative employment opportunities, find themselves trapped in a nightmare of abuse and exploitation. The complicity of corrupt officials and collaborators within the travel industry further facilitates the trafficking infrastructure, allowing perpetrators to evade justice and perpetuate their crimes with impunity.