INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Enterprise Security
Interpol Secretary opens
cyber centre in Rwanda
The Head of Interpol has said that
effective regional efforts in Eastern
Africa against transnational crime
and terrorism underpin security
across Africa and beyond, boosted by
Interpol’s global reach. Speaking at
a meeting of police affairs ministers
from countries of the Eastern Africa
Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation,
Interpol Secretary General Jürgen Stock
said that international law enforcement
must also adapt to the evolving nature
of transnational threats.
“At the core of Interpol’s existence is
the principle that any country’s internal
security hinges on criminal threats
outside its borders. This is where
international law enforcement operates
and evolves, and it is why Interpol is
focusing on bringing together regional
security bodies – within Africa, and
beyond into a cohesive, coherent and
effective global security architecture,”
said Secretary General Stock.
“Recent operations in the region
underline the importance for police
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to make full use of Interpol’s policing
capabilities to exchange and access
vital information. Crimes and criminals
cross borders and regions, making
it imperative to share criminal
information, resources and skills to
stay ahead of the curve.”
During the EAPCCO meeting,
Secretary General Stock laid the
foundation stone for Rwanda’s
regional cybercrime centre in Kigali
before outlining to police chiefs
how through its Global Complex for
Innovation in Singapore, Interpol
provides cutting-edge research and
capacity building on new forms of
crime.
Rwanda’s Inspector General of Police
and incoming EAPCCO Chairman,
Emmanuel Gasana, said: “Cybercrime
is a major threat affecting all
nations alike, requiring unity of
effort. Rwanda’s regional cybercrime
centre being established in Kigali will
help enhance operational, capacity
building and rapid responses. The
Rwanda National Police thanks
Interpol for its existing cooperation
in fighting regional and international
cybercrime and other threats.”
Kigali is currently hosting Exercise
Cyber Tracks, an initiative organised
by the Rwanda National Police
and designed and implemented
by Interpol specialists for training
on cyber-enabled crime and digital
forensics.
In June, Operation Usalama III,
involving 11 EAPCCO member
countries, disrupted regional
transnational criminal networks,
backed by Interpol’s global network,
expertise and databases. Human
trafficking victims were rescued in
Namibia, Rwanda, and Uganda;
drugs, guns, ammunition and
gold were seized; and some 156
suspects were arrested across the 22
participating countries, including in
Sudan a fugitive wanted by Jordan.
Interpol’s recently opened Special
Representative Office to the African
Union in Addis Ababa marks a further
milestone in its engagement with
Africa, underlining Interpol’s need for
a powerful African presence and voice
to fulfil its vision of a safer world.
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