‘Peace and Security’ symposium ends on a high

A one-day symposium on ‘Peace and Security’ held at the National Police College (NPC) in Musanze District ended with a call on participants to jointly use the acquired knowledge and skills to confront challenges faced by law enforcement agencies. The formal exercise closed on Tuesday as part of training of the 28 Police officers from nine regional countries attending the one-year second intake of the Police Senior Command and Staff Course. Amb. Valens Munyabagisha, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Internal Security, said no single law enforcement agency can contain modern security challenges single-handedly. “This has been a very rich symposium, made so by the remarkable and knowledgeable speakers and participants. This is a valuable learning experience for the course participants and I have no doubt it has broadened their knowledge on peace and security,” Munyabagisha said. The symposium, the first of its kind to be organised by the College, attracted various experts speakers with experts in peace and security, justice and media. “We are addressing some of the eminent challenges that make it difficult for law enforcement agents to address peace and security issues. This symposium has generally covered the major areas, from which participants will find answers to enhance their empirical research,” Munyabagisha added. Earlier on, Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana, who was one of the panellists, said the success of Rwanda’s law enforcement agencies was due to good leadership. “Without guidance from Rwanda’s leadership, law enforcers would completely fail,” the IGP said. He noted that, currently, there are organised emerging crimes that need much attention and new strategies. Brig. Gen. Joseph Nzabamwita, the Military and Defence spokesperson, noted that DRC-based terrorist groups use media propaganda as a major tool to spread false information. Arthur Asiimwe, the Director General of Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA), said law enforcement agencies should strengthen their cooperation with the media to share information, which facilitates modern policing. The course combines three Police components; ‘operational staff work of police’ offered by Rwanda National Police, ‘strategic leadership and management,’ (level seven certificate), offered by the UK-based Bramshill Police College and a Master’s in ‘Peace Studies and Conflict Management,’ offered in partnership with the University of Rwanda–College of Arts and Social Science (CASS).