Cooperation in Police Matters
Through the meetings of the EAC Police Chiefs, cooperation has continued to be fostered among EAC Partner State Police Forces / Services. Decisions were reached to harmonise police rankings and establish a Police liaison office within the structure of the proposed Directorate of Peace and Security. This is in addition to the already existing bilateral partnerships among the region’s security agencies.
The EAC Secretariat has rolled out a programme for joint training programs, social interaction, enhanced border surveillance and joint operations, and collective use of scientific crime management assets among others in the quest to enhance fight against criminals and deny them safe havens in the EAC region.
Through the meeting of Directors of CID and Registrars of Motor Vehicles, the law enforcement agencies of the EAC Partner States have continued working together to stem cross border criminal activities. These include motor vehicle thefts, smuggling, drug trafficking, and human trafficking among others. The agencies have enhanced cooperation in exchange for crime intelligence, restitution of stolen property and extradition of crime suspects.
Other activities that have been undertaken within the Peace and Security sector include development of a draft Conflict Early Warning and Response Mechanism and commencement of work on a Regional Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution framework.