Rwanda National Police

Security experts from Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda are meeting in Kigali to assess the implementation of the Northern Corridor integration projects under the ‘Mutual Peace and Security’ pact.

Participants are from Police forces, Immigration, Prison services, natural resources and disaster management entities.

The Northern Corridor is an initiative aimed at fast tracking regional development through joint infrastructure, trade, political and economic for greater integration process.

On Monday, the ‘Peace and Security’ cluster assessed various issues related to prevention of genocide, conflict resolution, disaster preparedness, fighting cross-border and organized crimes like terrorism, human and drug trafficking.

The six-day conference will also evaluate other integration projects like free movement of persons and services, trade, industry, tourism and labour, among others.

“The conference will also look at complexities within the free movement of people and create guidelines on how these challenges will be addressed,” Assistant Commission of Police Jimmy Hodali, Commissioner for Peace Support Operations (PSO) in Rwanda National Police, said.

According to article two of the pact, security services from partner states will partner to combat crimes and ensure safety of people and safeguard development of member countries against instability that might come with the new development initiatives.

Security services from the three countries therefore established committees of intelligence, police, immigration and correctional services among others to spearhead the implementation of the agreed 14-key areas of cooperation to promote and maintain stability for the development of the Northern Corridor.

Areas of cooperation include conflict prevention, management and resolution, prevention of genocide, combating terrorism and suppressing piracy.

Others include Peace Support Operations, disaster risk reduction, management and response, management of refugees, control of proliferation of illicit arms and light weapons, combating financial, organized and cross-border crimes such as human and drug trafficking, money laundering and cyber crimes and correctional services including exchange of prisoners, detention, custody and rehabilitation of offenders.

“The conference will also design a mechanism open to other countries that will express interest to join one or all projects,” ACP Hodali added.