The Inspector General of Police (IGP), CG Felix Namuhoranye, has officially opened EAPCCO Organs Meeting at the Rwanda National Police Headquarters, on Wednesday, April 23, reiterating the need for bold, collective, and actionable strategies to combat crime across the region.
Held under the theme “Strengthening Regional Law Enforcement Cooperation to Counter Terrorism, Transnational, Organized, and Emerging Crimes,” the meeting has brought together top law enforcement officials from the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (EAPCCO), representing 14 member states.
In his remarks, IGP Namuhoranye described the gathering as an important platform for reinforcing joint strategies to address the region’s crime threats and those beyond its borders.
“There is no silver bullet that can replace trust and mutual understanding among ourselves. That is why partnership remains our major strength and our priority,” he said.
“I urge all of us to open real-time communication channels and remove any barriers—small or big—that disrupt collaboration and information sharing,” he added, stressing the importance of putting strategies into action to build a safer region.
IGP Namuhoranye also challenged participants to identify key areas needing intervention or improvement, based on a review of progress made on previous decisions and recommendations.
Speaking on the significance of the event, Africa Apollo Sendahangarwa, Chief Executive Officer of EAPCCO and Head of the Interpol Regional Bureau, said the meeting was timely in orienting actions based on resolutions from recent Annual General Meetings, including those of the Chiefs of Police Council.
“The focus will include assessing crime trends, the modus operandi of criminals, and recommending more effective ways to tackle crime—not only within individual member countries, but also as a unified region,” noted the EAPCCO CEO.
On the first day of the meeting, members of EAPCCO witnessed the handover of the chairmanship of the Permanent Coordinating Committee (PCC) from Col. Aimable Mutagatifu, Director of Criminal Investigation in the Burundi National Police, to Jean Marie Twagirayezu, Director General of Criminal Investigation at the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB). (End)