IGAD raises concerns over surge in transnational crimes
The Intergovernmental Agency on Development (IGAD) has raised concerns over the continued infiltration of state institutions by terrorist, insurgent and corrupt actors thereby undermining good governance and compromising the rule of law within member states.
IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu says despite significant strides made towards eradication of transnational threats like terrorism, illicit flows that consist of trafficking and smuggling of narcotics, humans and weapons are still threatening regional health, safety and security.
Speaking during the IGAD Regional Inter-Ministerial Forum on enhancing Cooperation and Coordination against Transnational Security Threats in Mombasa, Gebeyehu said member states should seek cooperation between the region’s countries to better tackle transnational offences.
He pointed out the most worrying development is the mutation and infiltration of criminal actors into the political sphere where ‘state capture’ by criminal Organizations has become a real threat to vulnerable countries across the globe, compromising and eroding their capacity to respond effectively to transnational crimes.
He said a comprehensive approach to tackling transnational security threats in close alignment with the African Union Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), as well as UN Security Council resolutions will help create a long-lasting solution.
“IGAD, under the framework of its Peace and Security Strategy 2021-2025, Promotes a comprehensive approach to tackling transnational security threats in close alignment with the African Union Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), as well as UN Security Council resolutions,“ Gebeyehu said.
He said member states should come together to strengthen regional police cooperation, sharing of crime-related information and harmonization of laws in order to enhance the capacity of Law Enforcement Agencies to combat transnational organized crime.
“IGAD is happy to facilitate exchanges and cooperation between criminal justice agencies on the various legal instruments including the 2009 IGAD Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters that facilitate extradition, lawful removal, and mutual legal assistance in order to mitigate the transnational security threats in our region,” he added.
He added: “We are confident that our collective efforts to address these threats will go a long way in ultimately achieving IGAD’s vision of peace and security and regional economic integration."
Kenya Law Reforms Commission Chairperson Christine Agimba challenged member states to align their war on the vices with emerging global technological advancements to beat criminal expertise.
“However, these developments have negative consequences, criminals have found new ways of masking their activities, and technological advancements are also posing a challenge to the war against organized crimes among member states,” Agimba said.
