EAPCCO, Interpol Delegation in Kigali Discusses Transnational Crime Cooperation Among Member Countries

Heads of National Central Bureaus (NCBs) from 11 Eastern African countries gathered in Kigali on Tuesday to deliberate on effective mutual cooperation over international crimes.

Delegates from various member countries of the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (EAPCCO) have come together to discuss transnational organized crimes and terrorism within their boundaries, and to strengthen partnerships between their countries and law enforcement agencies.

Rtd Col Jeannot Ruhunga, the Head of National Central Bureau in Kigali, emphasized the pivotal role of NCBs in fighting transnational crimes and terrorism across the globe. He called for continued cooperation between countries and declared Rwanda as a willing partner in this regard. 

"Rwanda would remain a reliable and committed partner in the pursuit of global security and justice," He said

Gideon Kimiru, the Head of the INTERPOL Regional Bureau for East Africa, commended the INTERPOL cooperation as a backbone for the success of this summit among the 14 country members. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that criminals do not penetrate and end up in another country to ensure the region's security.

Kimiru also noted that there was a lot to learn from each other and highlighted how Rwanda's security agencies had integrated their systems to manage their borders.

However, Dr Thierry B. Murangira, the spokesperson for the Rwanda Investigation Bureau, pointed out the challenges that regional integration still encountered, highlighting the political will of countries as a common challenge among others.

"Obviously the biggest challenge is the political will of countries because we don't have competence over other countries' judiciary, and it's when they are willing to cooperate that we get good results. When there is no diplomatic cooperation, it becomes challenging," Murangira remarked.

This is the second time the summit is taking place, following a virtual one during the Covid-19