Thirty Police officers from eleven EAPCCO member states have enrolled in a simulation training exercise at the National Police College (NPC) in Musanze District aimed at enhancing their understanding and cooperation against transnational crimes such as terrorism, narcotics trade and human trafficking.
EAPCCO is ‘Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization’ with 13 member countries.
The four-day Command Post Exercise (CPX) code-named ‘Solidarity II’ under the auspice of Interpol, commenced on June 15 and is attended by participants from Burundi, Comoros, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, and officers from EAPCCO Regional Bureau in Nairobi.
However, participantsfrom Djibouti,Ethiopia and Sudan had not arrived at the National Police College at the time.
Seychelles and Eritrea, the other members didn’t participate in the second regional joint play. The maiden CPX was conducted in 2012.
While officiating at the opening of the joint exercise play, the Minister for Internal Security, Sheikh Mussa Fazil Harerimana, noted that the training will test the ability of member states to coordinate, communicate as well as cooperation against terrorism, human and drug trafficking, among others.
“This simulation exercise is based on EAPCCO resolutions to jointly fight transnational organized crimes within the region and to ensure the effective use of modern tools – such as the I-24/7 Interpol tool…with a view to enhancing regional capabilities,” Minister Harerimana said.
The Interpol tool connects all law enforcement agencies in Interpol member countries and allows investigators access Interpol’s range of criminal databases to search and cross check data on suspected criminals or wanted persons, stolen and lost travel documents, stolen motor vehicles, fingerprints, DNA profiles, stolen administrative documents and stolen works of art.
“At the end of the training, participants will have improved their understanding of effective communication and coordination of law enforcement agencies across the region, as well as have improved ability to jointly investigate and combat organized and transnational crimes.”
The official opening was also graced by the Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana, CGP Rwarakabije of RCS, regional bureau chief, FrancisRwego and representatives of Police chiefs from EAPCCO, as well as local leaders and Interpol staff from Lyon.
The exercise director, Commissioner of Police Emmanuel Butera, the Commissioner for Operations at RNP, noted that owing to the nature of countries’ borders that are porous, control mechanisms need to be enhanced with close cooperation between EAPCCO member States.
This training, he said, will be a catalyst of change in law enforcement capabilities to handle increasing cases of terrorism, human and drug trafficking that affect the peace and security of member states.
“It is imperative that our Police forces, who are among the main players in combating terrorism, human and drug trafficking, with the responsibility of investigating such cases, to train together and enhance their understanding in relation to the complex nature of the transitional organized crimes,” CP Butera said.
“We recommend our Police chiefs to expand the horizon of this initiative to include other partners and stakeholders to look at this threat with the same lens so that we have strong regional systems that foster security.”
Francis Rwego, the head of Interpol Regional Bureau for East Africa, based in Nairobi, commended Rwanda for hosting the training, noting that Rwanda has continuously indicated a strong level of commitment towards regional sustainable security.
“Kenya as the current chair of EAPCCO was meant to host this crucial exercise, but due to some other challenges, they could not. Rwanda volunteered to host the training and has indeed fulfilled its commitment. This is an exemplary level of commitment towards security and safety that is required in successfully overcoming crime,” he said.
One of the participants in the training, Senior Superintendent Violet Makhanu, from Kenya Police Services, said that she and fellow participants will gain relevant knowledge and expertise on the complex nature of transnational crimes for effective implementation and response to region organized crimes.
“It is through such joint trainings that we collect vital information and skills used to combat the most serious transnational crimes that are taking shape in the region,” Makhanu said.
“As participants, we will gain more knowledge on how Interpol tools work in tracking and apprehending criminals – and enhance cross border communication and coordination in combating crimes.”