These are the slaves of the 21st century. They represent forced labour in its most ancient and crudest form. Torn from villages in the south of Sudan, women and children are sold to their new masters in the North. Slave from his early childhood, recently liberated, Oumou recalls a life in captivity.

Oumou, ex slave

These wounds on my legs are from the chains, As I was looking after the horses, one of them ran away. When the master saw he beat me very hard and put chains on my feet. I wore them for two years.

While there are no clear statistics, on number of slaves currently in West Africa, evidence that slavery still exists in countries such as Niger, Sudan or Mauritania, is abundant.

Oumou, ex slave

These wounds on my legs are from the chains, As I was looking after the horses, one of them ran away. When the master saw he beat me very hard and put chains on my feet. I wore them for two years.

While there are no clear statistics, on number of slaves currently in West Africa, evidence that slavery still exists in countries such as Niger, Sudan or Mauritania, is abundant.

While there are no clear statistics, on number of slaves currently in West Africa, evidence that slavery still exists in countries such as Niger, Sudan or Mauritania, is abundant.

A recent report and a film released by the International Labour Organization, the ILO, highlight the reality of modern day slavery and proposes practical actions to combat it.

A recent report and a film released by the International Labour Organization, the ILO, highlight the reality of modern day slavery and proposes practical actions to combat it.

As in Niger, for example. Here, where the influence of traditional tribal chiefs continues to hold sway over the life of society, the ILO is rallying their support in the fight against forced labour. A recently held summit of traditional chiefs pledged to work with the organization in a nationwide antislavery drive.

As in Niger, for example. Here, where the influence of traditional tribal chiefs continues to hold sway over the life of society, the ILO is rallying their support in the fight against forced labour. A recently held summit of traditional chiefs pledged to work with the organization in a nationwide antislavery drive.

Chief Amirou Nohou

We count on the ILO to help us to reinforce the role of the chiefs in this struggle to eradicate slavery, anywhere it exists.

In reaching out to schoolchildren and offering advice to their teachers, the campaign seeks to instill a sense of tolerance and respect among the diverse ethnic and religious communities of the country. However, says the ILO, the main thrust remains the fight against poverty.

Chief Amirou Nohou

We count on the ILO to help us to reinforce the role of the chiefs in this struggle to eradicate slavery, anywhere it exists.

In reaching out to schoolchildren and offering advice to their teachers, the campaign seeks to instill a sense of tolerance and respect among the diverse ethnic and religious communities of the country. However, says the ILO, the main thrust remains the fight against poverty.

Bazoum Mohamed, Parliamentarian

Let's be realistic. The main remedy against slavery is the promotion of development in the rural areas and the capacity of creating job opportunities for those who may fall prey of this very precarious form of dependency.

Slavery today may not conjure images of chains and plantations. But in Niger and elsewhere across the globe, for millions of men, women and children, labour is not a choice... it is a life sentence.

Bazoum Mohamed, Parliamentarian

Let's be realistic. The main remedy against slavery is the promotion of development in the rural areas and the capacity of creating job opportunities for those who may fall prey of this very precarious form of dependency.

Slavery today may not conjure images of chains and plantations. But in Niger and elsewhere across the globe, for millions of men, women and children, labour is not a choice... it is a life sentence.

Slavery today may not conjure images of chains and plantations. But in Niger and elsewhere across the globe, for millions of men, women and children, labour is not a choice... it is a life sentence.