GASABO - Security officials from Rwanda and Burundi are discussing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation of security operations.

The meeting which is taking place at Police Headquarters in Kacyiru has attracted more than 20 participants from both countries.  

According to the acting Commissioner General of Police, Mary Gahonzire, the MoU is between police forces of both countries.

The Burundian delegation is led by Police Commissioner, Joseph Ndayisaba, the Senior Adviser on Security to the Burundian President.

"We have a good bilateral relationship with our neighbouring country Burundi that’s why we’re discussing to further strengthen our ties in security and fighting crime,” Gahonzire reiterated.

Speaking to The New Times, Assistant Inspector of Police, Joseph Rama, who is in charge international cooperation said that the memorandum will help in fighting crimes and sharing expertise and exchange criminals.

"We’re discussing the way forward on sharing the information of fugitive’s crimes, fighting terrorism, transactions of criminals and drug trafficking,” Rama added.

Rwanda recently announced that it was working with the Burundians to secure the arrest of Burundian nationals who are suspected to have participated in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

The list of these fugitives who were refugees in Rwanda during the time of the Genocide comprises of at least 600 individuals though the prosecution last year announced that they were still carrying out more investigations and more could be implicated.

The Rwandan delegation at the two-day discussions is made up of Gahonzire and Denis Nzabonima, an expert in bilateral relations in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and regional cooperation among others.

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