Village Leaders in Combating Cross-Border Smuggling atNamanga Border, Tanzania

Gasper Mpehongwa; Asajile Raphael Sengo

doi:10.18535/sshj.v9i07.1963

Abstract

This article assessed the role of village leaders in combating cross-border smuggling at the Namanga border in Tanzania. The study's objective was to examine the level of awareness of village leaders on cross-border smuggling, and the level of collaboration between village leaders and law enforcement agencies to outline challenges affecting village leaders in preventing cross-border smuggling. Probability and non-probability sampling techniques were used to obtain 110 respondents. Data was collected by using interview guides and questionnaires. Findings show that communities and their leadership along the Namanga border are well aware of the illegal smuggling activities; however, they do not share intelligence and cooperate well with the law enforcement agencies. This is due to cultural practices that view smuggling activities as a normal livelihood activity, and hence, when grassroots leaders attempt to cooperate with law enforcement agencies, they receive backlash from the communities. This works against government efforts to curb smuggling. The study recommends that enhanced community education on the effects of smuggling, enhanced community policing, and sensitization programs would enhance trust between village leaders and communities in the study areas.

Keywords

Village leaderscross-bordersmugglingsmuggling awareness

References

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[refR-1] Aluoch, P. D. (2014). Complexities of informal cross-border trade: Vulnerabilities and coping strategies among traders in Namanga, Kenya. Master's Dissertation, International Institute of Social Studies. The Hague: Netherlands.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-2] Andriichenko, N. S., Reznik, O. M., Tkachenko, V. V., Belanuk, M. V., & Skliar, Y. I. (2020). Smuggling of Goods as a Strategic Threat to The Economic Security of European States. Revista Electrónica de Investigación en Ciencias Economicas, 8(15), 346-357. DOI: 10.5377/reice.v8i15.9974DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-3] Anyim, T. (2019). The Role of Border Communities in Counter-Terrorism in Africa. Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-4] Aziz, N. A., & Monzini, P. (2015). The Changing Dynamics of Cross-border Human Smuggling and Trafficking in the Mediterranean. Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI), RomeGoogle Scholar ↗

[refR-5] Babalola, A., & Yelwa, M. (2020). Effect of Substance Abuse on Nigeria’s Economic Performance. Innovation Journal of Social Sciences and Economic Review, 2(2), 35-46. DOI: 10.36923/ijsser.v2i2.63DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-6] Babajide, J., & Opakunbi, O. (2022). Economic Implications of Trans-Border Crimes in Nigeria. Editorial Board. doi.org/10.26772/cijds-2022-05-01-017DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-7] Bahuguna, S., Mohamed, H., Frumence, G., Metta, E., & Nyamhanga, T. (2024). Socio-Economic Practices and EVD Transmission in Tanzania: Insights from Cross-Border Regions. J Journal of Community Medicine & Public Health 8(435), 2577-2228pp.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-8] DOI: 10.29011/2577-2228.100435DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-9] Bruwer, C. (2020): Transnational organized crime at sea as a threat to the sustainable development goals: Taking direction from piracy and counter-piracy in the Western Indian Ocean, African Security Review, DOI: 10.1080/10246029.2020.1728352DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-10] Coleman, J. S. (1994). Foundations of social theory. Harvard University Press.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-11] Charles, G. (2023). Challenges of Informal Cross-Border Trade Facilitation in Tanzania: Lessons from Kigoma Border. Journal of Borderlands Studies, 1-21. DOI: 10.1080/08865655.2023.2226400DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-12] Chouvy, P. A. (2013). An Atlas of Trafficking in Southeast Asia: The Illegal Trade in Arms, Drugs, People, Counterfeit Goods, and Natural Resources in Mainland Southeast Asia. IB Tauris, pp. 1-33, 2013. ffhal-01048590fGoogle Scholar ↗

[refR-13] Felbab-Brown, V. (2009). Shooting up: Counterinsurgency and the war on drugs. Rowman & Littlefield.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-14] Green, C., Clark, S., Kioko, J., Mwai, E., Odhiambo, J., Rettie, N., & van der Weijde, K. (2023). The role of the transport sector in facilitating and preventing trafficking of persons along high-volume transport corridors in sub-Saharan Africa. Journal of Transport & Health, 30, 101607. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2023.101607DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-15] Hansen, V. (2014). The Silk Road. A New History. Linguistica, 62(1), 139-146.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-16] Idris, A., Lenshie, N. E., Onuh, P. A., & Miapyen, B. S. (2024). Village-Based Border Policing: Towards Complementing Border Surveillance Strategy in Countering Human Trafficking on the Nigeria–Niger Border. Journal of Asian and African Studies. DOI: 10.1177/00219096241228770DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-17] Ismail, B., & Rabi, B. M. (2022). Strategies, challenges, and options for effective responses to cross-border crimes: an analysis of Nigerian-Cameroon borders. KIU Interdisciplinary Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 3(2), 150-169.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-18] Justin, M. N. (2022). Effect of Patrols in Combating Smuggling Among Small Scale Cross Border Traders at the Lungalunga Horohoro Border. Doctoral Dissertation, KESRA/JKUATGoogle Scholar ↗

[refR-19] Kahariri, M. W. (2018). The implication of the simplified trade regime on informal cross-border trade among small-scale traders in Namanga. Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-20] Kagimbo, A. (2021). Challenges Facing Implementation of Preventing Human Trafficking in Tanzania. Doctoral Dissertation, Institute of Accountancy Arusha (IAA).Google Scholar ↗

[refR-21] Kariuki, M. N. (2023). Effect of Coordinated Border Management on Human Trafficking and Human Smuggling Based on the Opinions of Selected Border Officers at the Busia and Namanga One-Stop Border Post. Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-22] Kastrati, S. (2022). Trafficking human beings and organized crime. Technium Social Sciences Journal, 38(1), 857–867. https://doi.org/10.47577/tssj.v38i1.7868DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-23] Kazemi, R. (2022). The modern Silk Road: trade in Persian opium across Central Asia in the long nineteenth century. British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, 51(1), 172-188. https://doi.org/10.1080/13530194.2022.2113502DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-24] Kola, K. N. (2024). Socio-Economic and National Security Implications of Cross-Border Trade Between Nigeria And the Niger Republic. International Journal of Advanced Academic Research, 10(2), 74-87.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-25] Kulish, A, Yunin, O, Us, O, Shapovalova, I., & Yaromii, I. (2021). Smuggling is a threat to the economic security of the state. Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, VsI Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, Vol. 8(3), pages 384-399. DOI: 10.9770/jesi.2021.8.3(25)DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-26] Lockhart, S. P., & Money, J. (2021). Introduction to International MigrationGoogle Scholar ↗

[refR-27] Magallanes-Gonzalez, C. (2021). Sub-Saharan leaders in Morocco’s migration industry: Activism, integration, and smuggling. The Journal of North African Studies. 26(1):1-20pp. DOI: 10.1080/13629387.2020.1800213DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-28] Mahmoud, A. T., & Augustine, A. C. (2024). Migration, border issues, and border control in Nigeria: patterns, implications, and management. FUOYE Journal of Criminology and Security Studies, 3(1), 87-95pp.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-29] Manyasi, J. M. (2021). Cooperation and Management of Formal and Informal Trade for Promotion of Development in Africa: a Case Study of Kenya and Tanzania. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Nairobi.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-30] Moraa, O. C. (2021). Coordinated Border Management and Trade Facilitation at Namanga Border Post, Kenya. Doctoral dissertation, Kenya School of Revenue Administration, Moi University.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-31] Mussa, A. M., (2019). Assessment of Community Policing as a Crime Reduction Strategy by the Police Force in Tanzania: The Case of Zanzibar. A Thesis Submitted in Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy of the Open University of TanzaniaGoogle Scholar ↗

[refR-32] Pack, S. D. (2022). Trafficking in the Mediterranean World: A Historical Perspective. In The Evolution of Illicit Flows: Displacement and Convergence among Transnational Crime (pp. 27-40). Cham: Springer International Publishing.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-33] Roe, D., & Booker, F. (2019). Engaging local communities in tackling illegal wildlife trade: A synthesis of approaches and lessons for best practice. Conservation Science and Practice, 1(5), e26.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-34] Rutachokozibwa, G. K. V. (2017). Migration Management in Tanzania: The Northern and Southern Borders. Master's Thesis, University of Eastern Finland.Google Scholar ↗