English
Kinyarwanda
The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) in charge of Operations, Vincent Sano, on Thursday, March 7, received officials from three regional organs, who visited Rwanda National Police (RNP) to share experiences in counter-terrorism operations.
The delegation headed by Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Africa S. Apollo, the Head Interpol Regional Bureau Nairobi and Chief Executive Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (EAPCCO) also include officials from EAPCCO Counter Terrorism Centre of Excellence and the Institute of Security Studies (ISS).
The visit aimed at documenting Rwanda's success stories in fighting terrorism in Cabo Delgado region in Mozambique for the benefit of EAPCCO member countries.
DIGP Sano, during the meeting, reiterated the RNP commitment and collective responsibility to address evolving security concerns in the region, especially terrorism.
"Terrorism continues to pose a significant threat to nations, communities. This forum dissects the current terrorism trends plaguing our region and effective counterterrorism strategies," DIGP Sano said.
Discussions, he said, should transcend borders, ideologies and political affiliations, for the challenges faced by the region recognize no boundaries where lives are lost, families shattered, and communities scarred.
"Together, we possess the resolve, the expertise, and the solidarity necessary to confront this scourge head-on."
The Deputy Police Chief reiterated the RNP's commitment to share insights from the Rwanda's experience, notably its operations in Mozambique.
Rwanda's deployment to Cabo Delgado since 2021, to support Mozambican security forces against Ansar Al Sunna terrorists, he emphasized, underscores the importance of collective action and international solidarity in confronting extremist threats that transcend national boundaries.
He said: "Our engagement in Mozambique reaffirmed the importance of adaptive and multifaceted counterterrorism strategies, ones that prioritize community engagement, intelligence sharing, and capacity building.
It underscores the necessity of holistic approaches that address, not only the symptoms, but also the root causes of extremism, including poverty, marginalization, and social alienation."
On his part, EAPCCO Chief Executive, Africa said that successful stories from member states inform effective planning, training and implementation of counter terrorism measures to make the region safe.
Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) John Ndungutse, the director of EAPCCO Counter Terrorism Centre of Excellence, said that Rwanda's uniqueness and successfully counter terrorism operations in Cabo Delgado region provide an opportunity to build capacities and capabilities of member states to make the region peaceful.
