Members of Eastern African Police Chief’s Cooperation Organization (EAPCCO), currently meeting in Kigali, yesterday elected the Rwandan police chief, Inspector General of Police Emmanuel Gasana, as its new chairperson.

Gasana will hold the position for the next one year. Gasana takes over from Sudan’s Gen. Hashim Osman Ali Hussein.

The Committee of Police Chiefs (CPC), which is the highest decision making body of the organ, meets at least once year in an Annual General Meeting AGM),  to take stock of progress and adopt appropriate strategies .In his acceptance speech, Gasana commended member countries for entrusting Rwanda with the position, adding that this signifies the responsibilities that the national police is carrying out on the African continent and the world at large.

Rwandan police are currently deployed as peacekeepers in several countries, among them Haiti, Sudan, Chad, and Liberia.

"As the next chairman of EAPCCO, I am deeply humbled by the honour, privilege and unique opportunities that come with such trust,” Gasana said.

He pledged to continue working closely with member states to ensure the realisation of the objectives of the regional police body.

"Aware of your unreserved support, I pledge to do my utmost to move this great organisation forward in our common struggle against transitional and organised crime. I believe with all your support, we shall achieve our main objectives”.

The outgoing chairman Gen Ali Hussein welcomed the new chairman vowing to work together towards the development of the organisation.

"I take this opportunity to hand over this chairmanship to my Rwandan brother and I promise to continue cooperating and working together in his leadership. I believe that through our cooperation, we shall manage to achieve our main goals” he said.

Gen Hussein added that during his tenure, he managed to streamline the organisation, observing that he had received maximum cooperation from all member countries.

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