The Minister of Local Government, James Musoni, yesterday met local leaders to discuss ways of combating crime and analyse the general security situation in the country.

The meeting that took place at the Ministry of Defence headquarters was also attended by the ministers of Defence and Justice; James Kabarebe and Tharcisse Karugarama, and the heads of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) as well as representatives from the prosecution department.

The Minister of Internal Security, Fazil Musa Harelimana and the Youth Minister Protais Mitali, also attended the meeting.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Musoni pointed out that while the country is generally secure, burglary, drug abuse and pick-pocketing, are some of the criminal acts the country is still experiencing.

"Security is a very important tool in the country’s development. Rwanda has taken great steps towards development and we will not allow anything to destabilise the country’s tranquillity,” the minister said.

He explained that family wrangles, which sometimes result into homicides, are prevalent in the Western and Northern provinces.

"We want to fight all these kinds of insecurity at all levels. This meeting will come up with strong measures to, effectively, deal with all those who still indulge in such criminal acts,” Musoni added.

Rape, defilement and idleness, with the latter sometimes resulting into theft, Musoni said, are other criminal acts that still exist.

"All these criminal acts have to stop,” the minister warned, adding that laws would be revised if need be, to deal effectively with all those indulging in illegal acts.

He urged the community to be responsible and work with security organs to ensure a secure country.

 "We want to have a free and very secure country,” he said.

The meeting was also attended by provincial governors, regional police and army commanders and all district mayors.

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