The SADC Chiefs of Police Sub-Committee of the Inter-State, Defence and Security Committee (ISDSC) was held on the 24th May 2017, in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania.
The meeting was attended by Chiefs of Police from the following Member States: Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe and the SADC Secretariat under the leadership of the Executive Secretary of SADC: Dr Stergomena Lawrence-Tax.
The meeting was officially opened by the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Honourable Eng. Hamed Yusuf Masauni. The Deputy Minister highlighted the ever changing nature of crime and its challenges in modern crime prevention, and thus encouraged Police to continue working with stakeholders and the public in the fight against transnational organised and cross border crime within region.
The Executive Secretary in her remarks, noted that peace and security remains part of the critical ingredients for sustainable socio-economic development of the region, and should be upheld at all times to ensure economic growth and development. Dr Tax further noted that, in the fight against transnational organised and cross border crime, special attention should be given to Gender Based Violence, and trafficking in persons, which continue to dehumanise vulnerable communities, especially women and children.
The meeting noted significant progress which includes the following:
(i) integration of Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation Organisation (SARPCCO) into SADC Structures, pursuant to the directive of Council and the Ministerial Committee of the Organ
(ii) Model Law to Combat Online Child Sexual Exploitation
(iii) Approval of the implementation modalities for implementation of the Regional Law Enforcement and Anti-Poaching Strategy
The Chiefs of Police also considered and endorsed:
- Draft Revised SARPCCO Constitution.
- Draft Revised Cooperation Agreement between SADC and INTERPOL.
- Revised Strategic Plan of Action on Combating Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children (2016-2019).
- SADC Command Control, Communication Information System (C3IS) Conceptual Framework, designed to enhance communication and interoperability during Peace Support Operations (PSO) missions in the region and the rest of Africa.
- Pledging of Police Officers to fill the vacant Mission Headquarters Structure which includes amongst others; Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner, Chief of Staff and other key strategic positions, in preparation for SADCPOL to be on standby in the African Union Roster in 1st January 2019 to 30th June 2019.
In order to fight the ongoing transnational organised crimes such as drug trafficking, smuggling of small arms, money laundering, trafficking in persons, smuggling of wildlife products and cybercrime, amongst others in the region, the Chiefs of Police emphasised the need for strengthened cooperation to address the scourge.
The Chiefs of Police Sub Committee further highlighted the need to enhance multi-stakeholder approach in the fight against corruption, illegal logging, transnational organised crime, terrorism and cybercrime.
In conclusion, the Chiefs of Police Sub Committee thanked the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania and her citizens for the hospitality and hosting of the meeting.
