The Italian Embassy in Tanzania and the Tanzania Judicial Leadership Institute (IJA) have launched a three-day training program for resident judges and prosecutors. The program, funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, aims to enhance the capacity of participants to handle wildlife and natural resource crime cases efficiently. The training, which started on September 21, 2026, is being conducted by facilitators from Italy and Tanzania.
Italian Ambassador to Tanzania, Giuseppe Coppola, opened the training session virtually, emphasizing its importance in addressing the increasing wildlife and natural resource crimes that transcend national borders. Coppola assured that Italy will continue to collaborate with Tanzania by sharing experiences, expertise, and techniques to combat these crimes. He highlighted the need for strengthened judicial cooperation between the two countries.
The Director of IJA, Dr. Paul Faustin Kihwelo, noted that Tanzania is rich in wildlife, forests, and other natural resources, making it essential to strengthen legal frameworks and the capacity of judicial officers to protect these resources from crimes. The training program targets prosecutors and government lawyers to enhance their skills in preparing cases, presenting evidence, and handling cross-border cases.
The training program also aims to equip judges with a deeper understanding of the challenges that may arise in deciding cases involving multiple countries, the use of modern techniques, and special evidence. Participants are expected to gain knowledge and skills in investigating cases, collecting and preserving evidence, and understanding the legal frameworks involved in such cases.
This training is a continuation of the cooperation between IJA and the Italian Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies (Scuola). Previous trainings were conducted in September 2025 and March 2026, focusing on international cooperation in addressing cross-border crimes, including human trafficking, drug trafficking, and environmental crimes.
The training program will enable participants to share experiences and best practices in handling wildlife and natural resource crime cases. It is expected to contribute to the strengthening of judicial cooperation between Tanzania and Italy in combating transnational crimes.
The collaboration between Tanzania and Italy in the judicial sector is expected to enhance the fight against wildlife and natural resource crimes in the region. The training program is a significant step towards building the capacity of judicial officers in Tanzania to handle complex cases.
Key points
- The training program aims to enhance the capacity of judges and prosecutors to handle wildlife and natural resource crime cases efficiently.
- The program is a continuation of the cooperation between IJA and the Italian Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies (Scuola).
- The training program focuses on international cooperation in addressing cross-border crimes.
