President Kagame officiating at the opening of 13th Ordinary Session of CISSA Conference
President Paul Kagame has mobilised African spy chiefs to use any resources available and counter the growing threat of Universal Jurisdiction against the continent.
“Looking at the global state of affairs today, there is no longer any clear distinction between so-called strong and weak states,” Kagame said, adding that the level of inequality between Africans and people on other continents is no more.
The President was officially opening a 5-day 13th Conference for the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services in Africa (CISSA), challenged Spy chiefs to use available resources to resist any form of abuse.
The conference attracted heads of Intelligence and Security from across 51 African countries. Kagame reminded them that no country can ensure its security without working closely with others, calling for utilization of available resources to execute the task.
Erastus Mwencha, the deputy chairperson of the African Union told the spy chiefs that collaboration of all intelligence institutions in Africa is needed to outsmart the growing threats of insecurity across the continent.
“The enemies of peace effectively share information within borders, trans-nationally and globally hence beating out security apparatus. Conflicts have reduced but we face threats of terrorism, radicalization and social ills by enemies of peace,” Mwencha said.
He pledged African Union Commission’s commitment to work with CISSA in countering security challenges affecting the continent.
“CISSA must adapt to the changing realities and the need for more and stronger cooperation across the world is clear,” Kagame said, adding that innovative technologies are increasingly accessible and affordable; “This is why collaboration is paramount.”
According to the President, this will be possible because “Accountability for crimes is a principle that the African Union endorses without ambiguity.”
The conference follows the just concluded the 27th African Union Summit in Kigali where African leaders expressed concern against the growing threat by the western countries using universal jurisdiction to target Africa.
Africa has faced serious cases of abuse of universal jurisdiction by the West, especially the International Criminal Court that has been described as a ‘ghost’ tool used by Western countries to abuse African leaders.
The president said,“For a long time some parts of the world seemed more important than others and lives of the people there somehow more valuable.” He noted that Africans have had enough and no longer tolerate cynical manipulation imposed on them.
Last year, Rwanda was poked when the former Spy Chief, Lt. Gen. Karenzi Karake while on official duty was arrested by UK Police on his way to the Airport to board a flight back home.
This action by UK government was protested by not only Rwanda but also the African Union.
President Kagame said it was unthinkable to “pick an official with diplomatic status like any of other thugs on streets.”
Since Monday, Intelligence Chiefs and their staff have been locked up in closed session discussing security matters on the continent under the theme: “Countering the growing threat of abuse of Universal Jurisdiction against Africa.”
Launched in 2004, CISSA provides leadership with regard to intelligence and security matters in furtherance of peace, security, and stability in Africa and facilitates cooperation and interaction among Intelligence Services and the exchange of intelligence and coordination of strategies on all common security threats.
