CHAPTER Five
5.1 Conclusions,
Recommendations
5.2 Conclusion
The EAC is an intergovernmental organization of five countries
as seen above. The vision of the EAC is to attain a prosperous, competitive,
secure, stable and politically united East Africa. The mission is to widen and
deepen economic, political, social and cultural integration in order to improve
the quality of life of the people of East Africa though increased
competitiveness, value added production trade and investment.
In this study entitled» Legal mechanism of the
East African Treaties in fighting cross border crimes» the
researcher's attention focuses on legal analysis of the EAC Treaties and its
different Protocols, conclusions of conferences and reports of EAC members
about peace and security in the region. The issues of cross border crime
related to EAC were already topical before the current enlargement of the EAC.
We may note that majority of criminologists and experts who contributed during
this work claim that crimes between the EAC Partner States most of them are
economic crimes and have increased considerably diversified and become more
organized. What will happen in cross border crime after the accession of the
five countries, including Rwanda, is a question to which various answers have
been given.
In line with that, border security is entirely about border
development where there is improvement in the issues and activities that
enhance security at the borders. The East African Community effort is required
to manage the risk of crime.
An effective response on cross border criminal activities in
East Africa will greatly enhance peace and stability in the sub region for the
much needed free movement of goods and persons, vibrant economic and social
activities and human security. Neighbouring countries like Rwanda and Uganda
cooperate closely and are entitled to perform joint operations and controls on
both sides of their common border. Examples include controlled drug deliveries
as well as joint police cooperation.
The implementation of the work plan has big financial
implications which require urgent attention and commitment of all the Partner
States. The key EAC achievements and successes is summarized in signing of the
Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community in 1999, joint
military exercises by East African Community Partner States Defense Forces,
establishment of fora for chiefs of Police, Directors of CID and Directors of
Operations and Intelligence to coordinate peace and security matters and the
joint patrols, sharing of criminal intelligence and surveillance to combat
cross-border crime.
Border management ensures that all the resources available are
employed to regulate the movement of people and goods across the borders. Its
effectiveness depends to a large degree on the rules and procedures established
to enforce the conditions under which entry is permitted including commitment
to locating and removing those that breach the conditions of their stay. There
is the need for balancing the two security imperatives that is facilitating the
movement of legal persons and goods to enable the region to benefit from the
open relationship within itself and the rest of the world and at the same time
preventing the situations that threaten the security of the region.
Cross border activities done by criminal groups or individuals
pose serious and increasing concerns for the international community. Their
activities affect our join security, stability of the entire region and of the
EAC economy. Furthermore, there is a need for the countries of EAC to employ
coordinated and comprehensive strategies to fight these crimes wherever they
manifest themselves. And then, with the adoption of international instrument
and the ratification of more regional instruments, these will entail developing
strong law enforcement approaches, and enhancing EAC cooperation through
public-private partnership.
| 
