Highlights:
Eastern African regional police chiefs held a meeting in Kenya to address the current cross-borders crimes that are slowly posing a major threat to both economic and national security of the member states.
Kenya and Rwanda have signed a deal that will facilitate ample cooperation between the two states in tackling transnational crime which is on the rise.
Summary:
Eastern African Police Chief’s Organization (EAPCO) has advocated for the formation of a joint collaboration between the regions police forces in an attempt to curb and deal; with the rising transnational crimes.
Kenya’s Inspector General of Police, Joseph Boinett speaking after a meeting held in Naivasha, said that Kenya and Rwanda had a signed a deal that facilitated joint training, operations and general mutual cooperation in dealing with cross-border crimes.
The main transnational crimes that the East African region is experiencing are mainly drug trafficking via the Indian Ocean, migrant smuggling, and illegal ivory trade and poaching and recently violent extremism.
These kinds of crimes tend to find root in the region due to a key factors, weak inter-state cooperation, insufficient legal codes that reduce chances of prosecution hammered by porous security and judicial systems of the countries.
This infestation of the region by global crime syndicates find haven in the region has caused a major threat not only to the economies of the countries but also the people themselves who for instant get hooked on drugs due to their availability affected the countries’ manpower.
The deal which was welcomed by all parties, will allow intelligence sharing, joint tracking of suspects and joint operations that will ensure that the syndicates are driven out of the region and dealing with the transnational crimes once and for all.
The joint operations will also enhance the region’s capability to preempt would be heinous attacks especially with the looming global menace of terrorism. The force will help track down and fazing out jihadists and terror suspect of the regional Islamists Harakat al Shabaab al Mujahideen at all costs.
