Thirty Police officers from eleven Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (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.

The four-day Command Post Exercise (CPX), code-named ‘Solidarity II’ under the auspice of Interpol, commenced on Monday.

It drew participants from Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, and those from EAPCCO head offices in Nairobi.

Seychelles and Eritrea, the other members, didn’t participate in the second regional joint exercise. The maiden CPX was conducted in 2012.

Opening the joint exercise, the Minister for Internal Security, Sheikh Musa Fazil Harerimana, noted that the training will test the ability of member states to coordinate, communicate as well as cooperate against terrorism, and human and drug trafficking, among others.

"This simulation exercise is based on EAPCCO resolutions to jointly fight trans-national organised crimes within the region and to ensure 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 to 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.

The official opening was graced by the Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana, regional heads and representatives of Police, Interpol, local leaders and police officers from within EAPCCO.

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.

"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 organised 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 demonstrated 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 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.

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