Ethiopian Federal Police chief participates in IGAD Regional Inter-Ministerial Forum

Addis Ababa, January 30, 2023 (FBC) – The Ethiopian Federal Police delegation is participating in the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Regional Inter-Ministerial Forum on Enhancing Cooperation & Coordination against Transnational Security Threats (TST) in Mombasa, Kenya.

The forum aims to strengthen regional cooperation on cross-border security threats. It was attended by IGAD’s committee of ambassadors, ministers of justice and police commissioners of member countries.

Ethiopian Police’s social media post indicates that, the Commissioner of the Ethiopian Federal Police and the current President of the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (EAPCCO), Demelash Gebre-Michael, is participating in the forum.

Ethiopia supports the creation of a multidisciplinary regional center to enhance cooperation and coordination among security institutions of IGAD member states. The center is expected to enhance inter-agency intelligence and expertise sharing b/n member states to counter the growing threats of terrorism, Extremism, Human trafficking, and other organized crimes, the Ethiopian Embassy in Djibouti said.

Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Djibouti, Berhanu Tsegaye, one of the participants of the forum, stated that the meeting focuses on cooperation against TSTs such as terrorism, extremism, human trafficking, and other organized crimes.

The objective of the forum is also a testament to Ethiopia’s unwavering commitment to regional peace and security, he said.

Speaking at the Forum, Executive Secretary of IGAD, Workneh Gebeyehu, states: “As the dark side of regional integration, transnational threats consequently demand shared solutions; and by this very implication, multilateral approaches provide the most viable avenue for addressing shared security challenges; through enhancing a common appreciation of the problem, as well cooperation & coordination on the most workable and effective solutions.”

The Inter-Ministerial Forum on Regional Cooperation & Coordination against Transnational Security Threats (TSTsis scheduled from January 30th to 31st, 2023.