Rwanda National Police

Rwanda and Burundi Police forces met in Huye District on Tuesday in a bid to strengthen cooperation against cross-border crimes.

The bilateral meeting attended by senior officers from the two neighbouring countries was presided over by the Inspector General of Rwanda National Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana and his Burundian counterpart, CPP Andre’ Ndayambaje.

The Police chiefs and other senior officers from Rwanda and Burundi in a group photo shortly after the meeting in Huye (Photo: RNP Media Center)

The meeting aimed at reviewing the existing partnership and lay more strategies to fight and prevent crimes through joint trainings, operations, criminal exchange and social activities like sports.”

The two forces, in May last year, signed a bilateral pact to jointly eliminate cross-border security threats like human and drug trafficking and cybercrime.

“This cooperation has achieved a lot, which we should continue to build on to further ensure safety of our people and create an environment that favours investment,” IGP Gasana said.

Among the achievements is the arrest and exchange of criminals like thieves and drug dealers, and joint trainings.

Burundi has since sent their police officers for training in Rwanda, including a contingent of 200 officers, who completed a peacekeeping pre-deployment course at the Police Training School (PTS) in Gishari, Rwamagana District, mid this year.

CPP Ndayambaje, who was accompanied by his deputy, CCP Godefroid Bizimana, also echoed the tremendous step taken by the two sides in dealing with security threats and thanked Rwanda National Police its support, especially in the field of training.

Rwanda National Police also handed over a Burundi national, who was apprehended in the country last week following a warrant of arrest issued by the Burundi Police force. The suspect is said to have stolen musical instruments before escaping to Rwanda.