Africa-Press – Tanzania. The Head of the International Criminal Police Organization’s (Interpol) Nairobi Regional Bureau, Gideon Kimilupaid a courtesy call on EAC Secretary General, Peter Mathuki, on last Friday.
During their meeting, the two discussed issues on regional peace and security including the EAC Joint Response to Regional and Cross-Border Security Threats.
Dr Mathuki commended the INTERPOL Regional Bureau for working closely with the EAC Secretariat in combating regional and cross-border security threats, and urged Partner States to continue taking the lead in developing joint initiatives to reinforce both the personnel and institutional capacities of the Police Forces/Services in the bloc.
He noted that harmonization remains key in the EAC integration especially towards the attainment of the ultimate goal of the EAC Political Federation, adding that all the four integration stages embrace harmonization and approximation of laws and policies in diverse sectors.
“As such, the security agencies like the police cannot be left behind since they play a significant role touching on the free movement of people, goods, and services across the region,” said DrMathuki.
Speaking on the EAC Joint Response to Regional and Cross-Border Security Threats Project funded by European Union, the Secretary General informed the Head of Interpol that the project was the perfect response to the various and growing security threats across the EAC region.
“It will work both in enhancing the technical capacities and building trust between the law enforcement agencies in the EAC Partner States,” he added.
On his part, Mr Kimilu hailed the long standing partnership between the EAC and Interpol in the peace and security sector, which he said was a key enabler to the integration process in East Africa.
The Interpol boss said that full implementation of the agreed programmes would enable the law enforcement agencies to, at a regional level, implement information sharing mechanisms that will facilitate rapid and timely response to cross-border threats.
