IN AFRICA MIGRATION FOR DEVELOPMENT II. The strategic framework for managing migration IN AFRICA zz Carry out joint capacity-building activities and exchange of expertise, in particular in the areas of processing intelligence and other information and handling sensitive information, in order to prevent, detect and respond to the smuggling of migrants. zz Encourage cooperation among Member States and RECs to tackle smuggling, through the development and use of appropriate mechanisms, such as the IGAD 2009 Mutual Legal Assistance and Extradition Agreement, which is in force and can be used by Member States to facilitate the prosecution of smugglers and traffickers across the region. 5.2 Human trafficking As the world moves towards more restrictive migration policies, irregular migration is on the rise, which involves human trafficking and the criminal networks associated with it. The protection of migrants, especially women and children, from human trafficking is vital in the promotion of migrant’s human rights, regular migration and security. The core element of trafficking is the fact that the victim is deprived of her/his will and is forced into slavery-like conditions or involuntary servitude. It is thus imperative to improve the identification of trafficked persons and grant them protection and assistance (including, inter alia, privacy; information on proceedings; physical and psychological recovery; provisions for safety; measures to avoid immediate deportation; and safe repatriation). Child trafficking presents particular challenges in Africa, and special requirements should be considered to ensure protection of and assistance to child victims of trafficking. The 2006 Ouagadougou Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings, Especially Women and Children, provides Member States with comprehensive guidance in addressing human trafficking and developing comprehensive counter trafficking strategies, that are based on prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership. The African Union Commission Initiative Against Trafficking (AU.COMMIT) raised awareness on the Ouagadougou Action Plan and propelled its implementation. The AU Horn of Africa Initiative, which was launched in 2014, builds on these efforts and drives dialogue and concrete initiatives that address human trafficking, smuggling and irregular migration, within and from the Horn of Africa region. Moreover, Agenda 2063’s First 10 Year Implementation Plan calls for the empowerment of women, youth and children and to end child labour exploitation, marriages, trafficking and soldiering by 2023. The SDGs strive to reinforce global efforts to combat human trafficking, which are explicitly referred to in three of its 17 goals. SDG Goal 5 Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls calls in Target 5.2 for the Elimination of all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation. SDG Goal 8 Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all demands in Target 8.7 51