Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Malawi Police Service (MPS) have reaffirmed their commitment to jointly build capacities in counter-terrorism and to fight motor-vehicle theft.

These are some of the resolutions adopted on Friday, July 30, as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Munyuza concluded his official visit to Malawi at the invitation of his counterpart, Dr. George Kainja to further enhance partnership in national and regional security.

The two forces also agreed to further build their capacities through shared advanced training, establish or strengthen victim support units and to bolster the canine unit including bleeding of sniffer dogs.

IGP Munyuza’s visit to Malawi followed the visit of his counterpart, Dr. Kainja to Rwanda in June as the two Police Chiefs continue to spearhead the implementation of the cooperation pact signed between Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Malawi Police Service (MPS) in March 2019 to formalize cooperation and collaboration in sharing intelligence, tracking and exchange of fugitives, training as well as fighting terrorism and drug trafficking, among others.

During his week-long visit to Malawi, IGP Munyuza also toured some of the MPS facilities including Zomba Police College in the Eastern region, South-West Region Police headquarters in Blantyre Province, and Limbe Police Station.

IBM announced today that Saad Toma has been named General Manager of IBM Middle East and Africa (MEA).

Mr. Toma succeeds Takreem El-Tohamy, who has been appointed General Manager, Global Strategic Sales at IBM.

Mr. Toma brings deep industry, services and technology expertise and over 30 years of experience at IBM working across multiple geographies.

He will be responsible for IBM’s overall business operations across Middle East, Africa and Turkey, driving business growth and client satisfaction.

“Saad is a highly respected leader with a reputation for developing high-performing teams and being a true partner to our clients, helping them with their transformation journeys,” said Marta Martinez Alonso, General Manager, IBM Europe, Middle East and Africa.

“I would like to thank Takreem for his role in driving IBM’s business and footprint in Middle East and Africa over the past decade and wish him success in his new role.”

Mr. Toma previously led IBM’s Global Technology Services (GTS) business in MEA from 2011 until 2016.

Prior to his appointment as General Manager, IBM MEA, Mr. Toma most recently held the position of General Manager, GTS for Asia Pacific (APAC) where he was responsible for guiding clients on their digital transformation journeys through Hybrid Cloud, Data and AI.

During his tenure at IBM, Mr. Toma has held several leadership roles including Global Chief Operating Officer of GTS, in which he was responsible for the management of GTS business operations and adopting a more cognitive business model in support of IBM’s clients’ needs.

“We are at a pivotal point in shaping the future of our industry. Technology adoption is not only vital to a successful, more competitive business but a key driver to economic development and growth,” said Saad Toma.

“I am privileged to lead IBM Middle East and Africa and, together with my colleagues, work with governments and clients across the region to help them leverage IBM’s hybrid cloud and AI solutions, services and our ecosystem partners to transform and drive innovation.”

Both appointments are effective immediately.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Munyuza, who is in Malawi for the bilateral visit, on Wednesday, July 28, visited Zomba Police College in the Eastern region. Earlier on Tuesday, the Police Chief also visited the South-West Region Police headquarters in Blantyre Province.

The tour is part of the week-long visit aimed at strengthening cross-border cooperation between Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Malawi Police Service (MPS) as entailed in the Memorandum of Understanding binding the two Police institutions signed in March 2019 in Lilongwe.

The MoU specifies partnership in joint areas of training, operations, tracking and exchange of criminals, combating terrorism, drug trafficking, cybercrimes, information sharing on fugitives and other security related matters.

During the bilateral meeting with his counterpart of Malawi, Dr. George Kainja, IGP Munyuza said that the two Police forces have made “strides including holding bilateral meetings, exchanging information, learning from each other and sharing expertise to jointly confront common threats affecting safety and social wellbeing of people in our two countries and our regions at large.”

“In the face of prevailing global and regional security threats, we value Malawi’s efforts on bilateral and multilateral stages to seek sustainable solution to security challenges in the region and beyond.

Rwanda stands together with Malawi and all other African countries’ resolve to end the unnecessary and destabilizing negative forces on our continent particularly violent extremism,” IGP Munyuza said during the meeting.

The host, Dr. George Kainja said that the cooperation is even more important in the context of Islamic insurgency that is terrorizing Mozambique.

“The Malawi Government in General, and the Malawi Police Service in particular will ensure that all efforts to defeat this insurgency are supported. In addition, the security apparatus of this country is working tirelessly to ensure that our country is not used in any way by elements bent on destabilizing the region,” Dr. Kainja said.