Rwanda National Police

The 84th Interpol Annual General Assembly held in Kigali ended yesterday November 05 with officials emphasizing the need for cooperation to address global security treats.

 Speaking at the closure of a four day General Assembly that drew close to 1000 delegates from 190 countries, the Minister of Internal Security, Sheikh Musa Fazil Harilimana told delegates that, “We should all emphasize the importance of international cooperation, networking and information sharing, capacity building as well as the need to get more organized than the criminals in dealing with transnational and organized crimes.”

 During the four-day (2 – 5 November) conference delegates were updated on Interpol’s integrated border security policing capabilities to combat terrorism and transnational crime

 “Such AGM sessions are very useful to catch up and come up with new ideas and generate strategies on how to deal with emerging security challenges. Even then, we all know well enough that the ideas can only be useful if they are translated into actions. We must therefore leave this meeting resolving to put into action what we have learnt and agreed,” said Minister Harelimana.

 He went on to add that it is also common knowledge that such meetings are an opportunity to network and create bonding among low enforcement as well as build momentum and synergies that will help nations through the next AGM and beyond.

 Interpol President Mireille Ballestrazzi hailed Rwanda for the well organized meeting and pointed out that; “This general assembly could not have been successful without the professionalism of Rwanda National Police…We have been enabled to progress in fighting organized crimes, cyber crimes, sex exploitation among children and border management. What you did here will make Interpol’s work easier.”

 She added that, “We all want to progress but one progress alone and this is why I want to thank everyone for their cooperation.”

 At the end of the Assembly, the Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K Gasana handed over the Interpol Flag to Indonesia as the next host of Interpol AGM.

 While opening the Interpol General Assembly on Monday this week, President Paul Kagame thanked  the Interpol for its efforts in tracking down fugitives wanted for the  1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, and helping to deliver justice for victims and survivors but pointed out that there is still much work to be done.

 “Many more of these fugitives are still at large and we will have to continue working with Interpol, and the international community, to ensure justice is done,” President Kagame told the Assembly.

 In a separate interview with the Interpol Secretary General, Jürgen Stock, pointed out that although Interpol has a specific fugitive tracking programme, sometimes it take long because criminal sometimes take benefit from globalization

 “Sometimes it take long but we will never give up; we constantly help member countries in trying to locate these criminals,” said Stock.

The Assembly which was  held under the theme “Interpol 2020: Policing global threats in a dynamic environment” and brought together delegates including police chiefs and senior law enforcement officials from 190 countries, delegates also discussed issues ranging from combating the threat of foreign terrorist fighters, the organized crime networks behind people smuggling and drug trafficking and cybercrime.

They also considered the creation of a new Interpol notice targeting criminal assets to support global efforts against corruption and financial crime.