The Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization has raised concern over the rising rate of terrorism and human trafficking in the region. Francis Claver Rwego Interpol chief in East Africa urged police chiefs meeting in Kigali for the two day meeting to do more than raising valid points and adoption of strategies but rather strive to implement these strategies. In Rwanda specifically cyber crime is reported to be on all time high.
Cross boarder crimes are taking yet another turn in the East African region. Terrorism, human trafficking especially young girls, drug trafficking and cyber crimes are crimes that are presently at an all time high. This has prompted a meeting with police chiefs from the region under the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization.
Francis Claver Rwego the Interpol chief in the east African region thinks that good strategies and valid points are raised during such meetings but implementation surpasses them all.
Rwanda’s inspector general of Police who also doubles as the chief of the EAPCO Emmanuel Gasana strongly appealed for collective efforts because of the presence of serious crimes especially terrorism and human trafficking.
In Rwanda, trafficking of young girls who are turned into sex workers and cyber crime are the major cases of cross boarder crimes. Chief Supt. Elisa Kabera, in charge of international relations explained that in many cases, culprits commit crimes in the country and flee into other countries claiming that they are political refugees.
The Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (EAPCCO) was created in Kampala, Uganda during the 1st meeting of Eastern African Police Chiefs held from 18-19 February 1998. It was founded as a regional practical response to the need to join police effort against transnational and organized crime. The Interpol Sub-Regional Bureau in Nairobi acts as its Secretariat.
EAPCCO consists of the following 11 member countries: Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
By Flora Kaitesi
