Rwanda : Combating organized crimes requires cooperation – Harelimana
Regional Police Chiefs at the launch of PCPX
The Minister of Internal Security Sheikh Fazil Musa Harelimana has called for cooperation among the regional security organs in order to overcome security challenges.
Harelimana made the remarks on Wednesday while launching the first ever Police Command Post Exercise (PCPX) codenamed “Solidarity†at the Police Headquarters in Kacyiru.
The exercise is part of the Regional Police Chiefs Body – EAPCCO – to further promote police cooperation of member states in combating cross-border and international organized crimes.
“Combating transnational and organized crimes requires cooperation to overcome some of the man-made limitations and to give no work in favor of criminals,†said Minister Harelimana.
He said that countries and the Region should take time to find home ground solutions to terrorism, drug and human trafficking, cyber crimes, counterfeit, motor vehicle theft and carjacking, cattle wrestling, piracy and money laundering as well as Peace support matters.
The exercise seeks to promote, strengthen and perpetuate cooperation between member states through sharing of information and intelligence as one of the effective ways to combat the vice in the region.
The exercise comes as a response to increase in security challenges in the Region such as terrorism, human and drug trafficking and piracy, which have affected some of the member states.
A total of 60 officers from twelve EAPCCO member states will benefit from a week-long exercise which will cover specialized areas of counter terrorism, human trafficking and Peace Support Organisation (PSO).
The Inspector General of police, Emmanuel K. Gasana, who is also the current chair of EAPCCO, outlined the crimes stated above as some of the emerging security concerns threatening the Region’s policing landscape.
He explained that the seven-day exercise was organized to train police officers in efficiency and effectiveness in combating transnational organized crimes.
He called upon law enforcement agencies to continue to pursue collective security measures to establish strong partnership and ensure capacity building strategies to enhance joint operations and timely exchange of information to combat cross-border crimes.
“Our mission, as police force, is to have a Region where citizens enjoy maximum security and human rights,†IGP said.
Elizabeth Kutesa, the Director of Interpol’s National Central Bureau and Regional Police Services, noted that the current security threats need more commitment from world leaders.
She pledged Interpol’s commitment in providing a global secure communication network and to work with national central bureaus to enable frontline officers get connected to the I-24/7 tool.
