A Ministerial session of the Peace and Security cluster of the Northern Corridor Integration Projects (NCIP) has reached a deal on cooperation agreement on the transfer of convicts and exchange of fugitives.

The agreement was signed at the closure of a four-day NCIP Peace and Security cluster meeting yesterday in Bugesera District.

Rwanda’s Minister of Internal Security, Sheikh Musa Fazil Harerimana, the current chair of the ministerial committee, explained that the agreement, partly, comes to facilitate families of convicts, who face challenges traveling from one country to another to visit their convicted relatives.

"We want convicts to be near their families where they can easily access them, but the implementation matrix of this mutual agreement will be agreed upon later,” Minister Harerimana said.

"There are aspects like how these offenders will be transferred to their home countries; when should a country inform the other about a sentenced criminal; is the country where prisoners were sentenced the one to take them to their home country or its their home country supposed to pick them? All these are things that we will look into at another stage and set a deadline when a prisoner should be transferred,” he added.

Meanwhile the Ministerial session also adopted their report on the implementation of Peace and Security pact to ensure security of development projects along the Northern Corridor.

The Northern Corridor is an initiative by three countries – Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda – to fast track regional development through joint infrastructure, trade, political and economic efforts for greater integration process.

The adopted report highlights the establishment of the Peace and Security cluster coordination mechanism; development of mechanisms to control criminal activities associated with the free movement of people and information sharing on combating economic crimes.

It also highlights execution of the cooperation agreement on combating terrorism, transnational organised crimes and violent extremism, and enhancing border security.

Others include management of refugees and asylum seekers, undertaking joint disaster risk reduction, management and crisis response, and measures to reduce road accidents.

According to Minister Harerimana, the issue of controlling traffic flow will see the three member states agreeing on single traffic rules and regulations.

Rwanda will formulate and table the draft traffic regulation document while Uganda was tasked to develop a paper on refugee management.

"Peace and security are a requisite for the attainment of all Northern Corridor initiatives. Where there is no peace and security, little; if nothing, will be achieved. Although a lot has been achieved, there is still work to be done,” the minister said.

Meanwhile, Amb. James Baba, Uganda’s Minister of State for Internal Affairs, praised Rwanda’s development progress, adding that such "investments require our commitment to ensure their safety.”

"I am impressed by the level of development in Rwanda… a new airport is coming, investments are being extended to the countryside and not concentrating in Kigali, so this country is becoming a good magnet for investment, and we need to take this pact seriously to secure such investments. Without this cluster other projects will be difficult to implement,” Amb. Baba said.

Kenya’s High Commissioner to Rwanda John Mwengemi said the pact forms the basis of the nation’s integration agenda, adding that Kenya is committed to this cause.

The ministerial meeting followed a meeting of Chiefs of Security Services and Coordination Committee on Thursday, which also reviewed and approved a report of experts.

The deliberations were in line with the directives of the 11th summit held in Nairobi, Kenya last month.

Earlier on Thursday, Rwanda’s Inspector General of Police, (IGP) Emmanuel K. Gasana, while chairing a meeting of Police Chiefs and security agencies, said: "The success of the peace and security cluster to which we belong will be a springboard for a peaceful operating environment, so we should be seen to walk the talk as required of us.”

The established security services that include Police, intelligence, immigration and correctional services spearhead the implementation of the agreed 14-key areas of cooperation to promote and maintain stability for the development of the Northern Corridor.

According to article two of the peace and security pact, security services from partner states will partner to combat crimes and ensure safety of people and safeguard development of member countries against instability that might come with the new development initiatives.

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