[Editorial] Broad-based response to cross-border crime indispensable

In today’s world, no country can ably address the ever-evolving threats that face their people without the support of likeminded partners, including other countries. Neither can individual organisations singlehandedly tackle the challenges of modern day. Never has international cooperation and cross-border collaboration been so imperative. Today, more than ever, governments and non-state actors need to constantly work together to not only keep their people safe from such challenges as human trafficking, cyber security threats, terrorism and financial crimes, but to also ensure they remain on top of their game and forestall any potential surprises. International cooperation and partnerships help nations and organisations to build capabilities to ably deal with mutual threats and challenges now and in the future. The world is not short of multilateral frameworks, instruments and platforms to promote a common understanding and subsequent joint action against common threats. Nonetheless, these instruments can only deliver the intended results if the parties go out of their way and implement what has been agreed upon. Criminals transcend physical boundaries and that’s why governments need to remove barriers to cross-border cooperation to tackle some of the most serious crimes of the modern era. But to adequately respond to today’s challenges, there is need for more than just the political will (on the part of governments); there is need for the industry to get their priorities right; to make the necessary investments, actively share experience and reinvent themselves. For instance, the war on cyber security cannot be won without the active involvement of the private sector. Every organisation and business needs to observe minimum safety standards for their data and always prioritise the security of particularly their online based services such as payments. Governments need to pay a greater attention by ensuring that businesses and other actors always respect minimum safety standards. And, for this to happen, there is need for constant sharing of information about crime. That’s why meetings like the one held between Rwanda and Tanzanian police chiefs at the Rusumo border post last week are critical in ensuring timely cross-border response to common security threats. But the private sector and the ordinary person across the borders must not be left behind in this effort. We are all in this together and everyone needs to appreciate that it’s no longer business as usual.

Opinions

[Editorial] Broad-based response to cross-border crime indispensable