The Acting Commissioner General of Police, Mary Gahonzire has reiterated the need for partner states of the East African Community (EAC) to have concerted efforts in ensuring peace and security in the region.

In a coordination committee meeting she chaired on Wednesday in Arusha, Tanzania, the police chief underscored that peace and security are a hinge on which integration and economic development can thrive.   

The coordination committee meeting comprised of senior police, immigration, and security officials from all the five EAC partner states.

Gahonzire said that there is need for development of joint programs and activities which should facilitate regional action in the peace and security sector.

The meeting was part of other security meetings that should have climaxed into the sectoral council meeting of ministers of internal affairs and security from all states.

However, it was postponed to next month after some ministers from partner states failed to show up.

The first Sectoral Council meeting on interstate security was held in August 2008 with discussions centering on human trafficking and harmonization of police rankings.

The German government has committed Euro 4.55 Million for the peace and security projects over the next three years beginning in October this year.

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