The East African Community (EAC), Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation, Beatrice Kiraso, has said that the role of security services is paramount as the regional integration deepens.

She made the remarks while addressing the Directors of Criminal Investigations and the Registrars of Motor Vehicles from EAC partner states during the recently concluded Inter-State Security Sectoral Council meeting in Arusha, Tanzania.

In a subsequent interview with The New Times, Kiraso said that the ultimate goal as member states is to achieve political federation.

"So it will be better if we harmonise our security intelligence services” she said, adding that the vision of EAC is to have a peaceful, stable and politically united bloc.

According to a statement from the secretariat, Kiraso, told the delegates that speaking of EAC free movement of all factors of production, means free movement of persons, goods, labour and capital.

She said that at this stage, the role of detectives and intelligence services becomes extremely crucial.

‘’Be part of the integration programme not only by responding when there is a crisis but foretell and forewarn us,’’ she urged the delegates, adding that the region should try to avoid management by crisis and develop its conflict prevention, management and resolution framework.

Kiraso, encouraged the detectives to harmonise their policies and programmes to make East Africa free from crimes and other illegal activities, including illicit drugs and human trafficking.

She encouraged the council to be more pro-active as EAC enters the second phase of its integration process following the recent signing of the EAC Common Market Protocol.

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