The 26th Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (EAPCCO) Annual General Meeting opened on Wednesday, January 29, in Kigali as Police Chiefs from 14 member countries gathered to reinforce cooperation against terrorism, transnational organized and emerging crimes in the region.
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Vincent Biruta, while officially opening the meeting, said that it provides an open platform for Police Chiefs to provide direction in security and law enforcement matters to make the region safer.
“This is a testament to the strong will to cooperate in our region, with a view to ensuring security and a safer living environment to our people,” Dr. Biruta said.
He observed that syndicates of transnational organized crimes have become highly connected across borders, more complex and sophisticated, allowing them to commit various crimes ranging from terrorism, cybercrime, arms smuggling, narcotics and human trafficking, among others.
This, he added, has been enabled by fast growing access to modern technologies, including internet connectivity that have improved the livelihoods of citizens, but at the same time facilitating criminals.
He commended the role played by the outgoing chairperson in strengthening the activities of EAPCCO, and urged the incoming chairperson to further make the body more relevant and vibrant to achieve its mandate.
EAPCCO member countries are Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Comoros, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Sudan, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Seychelles, and Somalia.
Its mandate includes preparing and disseminating relevant information on criminal activities, ensuring efficient operation and management of criminal records and efficient joint monitoring of cross-border crime; and formulating systematic regional training policies and strategies taking into account the need and performance requirements of the regional police forces.
EAPCCO operations mainly focus on fighting terrorism, financial crimes, human and drug trafficking, cybercrime and intellectual property crimes.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) for Nigeria Police Force, Kayode Adeola Agbetokun, who doubles as the chairman of the West African Police Chiefs Committee (WAPCCO), noted that their region is faced with similar security challenges as EAPCCO region, but added that they learned valuable lessons for effective response.
“Enhanced intelligence has been critical in establishing the West African Police information system; we also prioritized capacity development programmes, and community engagements to promote social cohesion and to prevent radicalization; all which have been instrumental in responding to emerging security threats,” IGP Kayode.
Commissioner of Police (CP) Theos Badege, Assistant Director for Global Outreach and Regional Support at Interpol Secretariat, said that across East Africa, vulnerable individuals are being lured by false promises of work, education, or safety, and find themselves trapped in the web of human trafficking, exploited for labor, sexual abuse, or even organ harvesting.
He cited recent operational coordination units established across Africa, Europe, Asia, and Latin America, which uncovered dozens of human trafficking and exploitation cases, and rescued more than 2,000 victims.
Badege also cited at least 11 suspects, who were arrested recently in East Africa for child trafficking, exploitation and organ harvesting.
In response to cyber threats, he said, Interpol launched ‘Operation Serengeti’ last year with 19 participating countries, including Rwanda, dismantling close to 150,000 malicious networks; identified 35,000 victims with links to nearly USD193 million in global losses; recovered USD45 million in illicit funds; and arrested 1,000 suspects worldwide.
“This is the power of collaboration. By enabling intelligence-led operations and bridging capability gaps, we can secure critical cyber infrastructure and make real progress together,” CP Badege said.
