IGAD recognizes contributions of Ethiopia, Djibouti Police in maintaining regional peace, security

Addis Ababa, March 30, 2023 (FBC) – The Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) has recognized Commissioner General Demelash Gebremichael of the Ethiopian Federal Police and Colonel Abdourahman Ali Kahin, Director General of the National Police of Djibouti, for their outstanding contributions to the peace and security of the region.

This acknowledgement was made during a meeting held at the IGAD secretariat’s headquarters in Djibouti, where the Executive Secretary of IGAD, Dr. Workneh Gebyehu, presided over.

Commissioner General Gebremichael is in Djibouti to reinforce the cooperation between the police forces of Ethiopia and Djibouti, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in March 2021.

The MoU aims to strengthen cooperation between the Ethiopian Federal Police and the Djibouti National Police Force in the fields of police personnel training and border security preparedness. During the meeting, the Commissioner General and Colonel Abdourahman Ali Kahin engaged in discussions with Dr. Workneh Gebyehu.

The Commissioner General stressed the importance of conducting operations along the common Ethio-Djibouti border to combat transnational crimes such as human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and the trafficking of illicit arms and drugs that undermine the peace, security, and socio-economic interests of the region and beyond.

In response, the two countries’ police forces established a Joint-task force that will be responsible for coordinating and leading joint cooperation at identified three Operations Centers along the Ethio-Djibouti border where the Joint border monitoring units will be stationed.

During the meeting, the Ethiopian Federal Police and Djibouti National Police Force presented a proposal on the technical and material support required for the units to perform their respective operations along the common border to the executive secretary of IGAD, as prepared by the task force.

Dr. Workneh echoed the need to combat crimes, security threats, and other illegal activities, including human trafficking, illegal arms smuggling, money laundering, and the movement of anti-peace elements. He pledged to support the task force in securing the peace and stability of the region.

Commissioner General Demelash Gebremichael also met with the Chief of Staff of the National Gendarmerie, Colonel Zakaria Hassan Aden, during his visit to Djibouti’s International School for Advanced Training in Judicial Policing.

Additionally, the Commissioner General attended a graduation ceremony for investigation management and criminal identification technicians, along with the Ethiopian Ambassador to Djibouti, Berhanu Tsegaye, and senior gendarmerie officials.