Rwanda’s Inspector General of Police, CG Felix Namuhoranye, has called for stronger regional cooperation, innovation, and timely intelligence sharing to effectively tackle transnational crimes that continue to threaten peace and security across Africa.
Speaking on Wednesday during the third day of the Usalama General Assembly in Kigali, CG Namuhoranye emphasized that no single country can effectively address increasingly sophisticated cross-border criminal networks on its own.
“It is essential to strengthen cooperation, embrace innovation, and share information in a timely manner so that we can develop coordinated and effective responses to crimes that threaten our collective security,” CG Namuhoranye said.
The meeting brought together security and law enforcement leaders from countries across Eastern and Southern Africa to review the progress of Operation Usalama and discuss strategies for enhancing regional security cooperation.
Operation Usalama, supported by INTERPOL, is a regional security initiative that brings together police and law enforcement agencies to combat a wide range of transnational crimes, including terrorism, human trafficking, cross-border organized crime, and the trafficking of counterfeit and substandard goods.
The operation also strengthens intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement actions among participating countries.
As criminal networks increasingly exploit porous borders, technological advancements, and regional trade routes, security agencies have intensified collaborative operations to dismantle organized criminal groups and protect communities.
Rwanda has consistently advocated for stronger regional partnerships in policing, recognizing that crimes such as terrorism, trafficking in persons, drug trafficking, cybercrime, and illicit trade require joint action beyond national borders.
Through its active participation in INTERPOL-led operations and regional security frameworks, the country continues to contribute to efforts aimed at improving intelligence exchange, capacity building, and coordinated law enforcement responses.
The Usalama General Assembly provides an opportunity for participating countries to assess the outcomes of previous operations, identify emerging security threats, and develop new strategies to improve operational effectiveness.
Discussions also focus on enhancing cooperation between law enforcement agencies to ensure faster information sharing and coordinated responses against criminal networks operating across borders.
The ongoing meeting in Kigali underscores the shared commitment of countries in Eastern and Southern Africa to strengthening regional security and building a united front against organized crime, with officials agreeing that sustained collaboration remains critical to safeguarding peace, stability, and economic development across the region.
