The European Union or EU reiterated its willingness to support East African Community or EAC Partner States to curb cross-border security threats in the region.
EU head of delegation to Tanzania and the EAC, Ambassador Manfredo Fanti, disclosed that they are implementing various regional peace and security initiatives in the EAC and the Horn of Africa.
The Ambassador during the opening session of the “Joint Response to Regional and Cross-Border Security Threats” in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on Tuesday, urged the EAC to try to fully utilize the funds before the expiry of the project in 2024.
The project is to the tune of 10 million Euros to build the capacity of Partner States to fight money laundering, terrorism, trafficking of arms, trafficking of humans, drug trafficking and cyber-crime.
Ambassador Fanti said the project was crucial as it forms part of the ongoing efforts by the EU to support regional peace and security initiatives such as trans-national organised terrorism, which pose a threatening stability of the region.
EAC Deputy Secretary-General Engineer Steven Mlote thanked the EU for its continuous support to the EAC Peace and Security sector over the years.
He said EAC Secretariat will ensure that EU support is well administered and managed in line with the guidelines applicable for the good of the people of East Africa and the wider integration effort.
Head of the Interpol Regional Bureau in Nairobi, Mr. Gideon Kimilu, said that INTERPOL was looking forward to working closely with all EAC Partner States, the EAC Secretariat and the EU in achieving peace and security in the East African region.