East African region plans peace strategy
The East African region is poised to enjoy relative peace and security if the strategies they have set are realised. On April 5, a task force of experts from the three East African community countries came up with a strategy for regional peace and security, which is aimed at creating a secure and pe
The East African region is poised to enjoy relative peace and security if the strategies they have set are realised. On April 5, a task force of experts from the three East African community countries came up with a strategy for regional peace and security, which is aimed at creating a secure and peaceful environment for development.
The strategy, which is still a draft yet to be approval by the Council of Ministers. The East African Community has 14 goals. They include enhancement of exchange of criminal intelligence and other security information between partner states, enhanced joint operations and patrols, exchanging of training programmes for security personnel and development of a mechanism for conflict management and resolution among others.
The draft strategy is a culmination of a directive to the East African Community Secretariat by the Council of Ministers in 2003, to convene a meeting of experts from the three partner states to formulate a strategy of peace and security in the East African Community.
On exchange of criminal information, the experts agreed that all partner states design a joint crime information system database accessible to their respective Police forces. The system will be used for collecting information.
The experts agreed to establish a network connectivity, computer networks, fax machines and radio communication. They also agreed to jointly train more crime intelligence analysts.
Joint operations and patrols against narcotics, robberies, motor vehicle thefts and smuggling was also recommended. This will also involve enhancement of border security, which will oversee the crossovers for a reasonable distance into another partner state territory during hot pursuit. The draft strategy also recommends the adoption of the UN Model Law on Mutual Assistance on Criminal Matters by all the partner states. This law is in conformity with the UN Convention Against Translational Organised Crime. This offers assistance in relation to evidence, identification of witnesses and the forfeiture of property derived from criminal activity.
In an effort to ensure an effective fight against drug trafficking, the experts recommended the revision of their laws pertaining to drugs to conform to relevant provision of the existing anti-drug protocols. They called for the strengthening of the existing anti-narcotic squads of the partner state and agreed on joint training for drug law enforcement agencies in the region.
On state relationship, periodic and reciprocal visits by security authorities. Training programmes for the security personnel, which will include exchange of syllabi, specialised instructors, joint training in identified areas and harmonising of training syllabi and standard operating procedures.
They also recommended the establishment of common mechanisms to deal with refugees, regional disaster management mechanisms which will lead to the development of oneness as a community.
Ends
The strategy, which is still a draft yet to be approval by the Council of Ministers. The East African Community has 14 goals. They include enhancement of exchange of criminal intelligence and other security information between partner states, enhanced joint operations and patrols, exchanging of training programmes for security personnel and development of a mechanism for conflict management and resolution among others.
The draft strategy is a culmination of a directive to the East African Community Secretariat by the Council of Ministers in 2003, to convene a meeting of experts from the three partner states to formulate a strategy of peace and security in the East African Community.
On exchange of criminal information, the experts agreed that all partner states design a joint crime information system database accessible to their respective Police forces. The system will be used for collecting information.
The experts agreed to establish a network connectivity, computer networks, fax machines and radio communication. They also agreed to jointly train more crime intelligence analysts.
Joint operations and patrols against narcotics, robberies, motor vehicle thefts and smuggling was also recommended. This will also involve enhancement of border security, which will oversee the crossovers for a reasonable distance into another partner state territory during hot pursuit. The draft strategy also recommends the adoption of the UN Model Law on Mutual Assistance on Criminal Matters by all the partner states. This law is in conformity with the UN Convention Against Translational Organised Crime. This offers assistance in relation to evidence, identification of witnesses and the forfeiture of property derived from criminal activity.
In an effort to ensure an effective fight against drug trafficking, the experts recommended the revision of their laws pertaining to drugs to conform to relevant provision of the existing anti-drug protocols. They called for the strengthening of the existing anti-narcotic squads of the partner state and agreed on joint training for drug law enforcement agencies in the region.
On state relationship, periodic and reciprocal visits by security authorities. Training programmes for the security personnel, which will include exchange of syllabi, specialised instructors, joint training in identified areas and harmonising of training syllabi and standard operating procedures.
They also recommended the establishment of common mechanisms to deal with refugees, regional disaster management mechanisms which will lead to the development of oneness as a community.
Ends