IOM Holds Regional Transnational Crime Workshop for Security Officials from Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania

[Deeq A.]

Somalia – IOM, the UN Migration Agency, last week (20-22/02) facilitated a workshop in Somalia, Transnational Organized Crime and Immigration Risk Analysis, bringing together senior government officials in the security sector including immigration directors, policy makers and intelligence agencies from Somalia, Kenya and Tanzania.

The workshop was organized by IOM’s Africa Capacity Building Centre (ACBC), the region’s hub for border management expertise. Participants were provided with a wealth of experience, knowledge, and examples of real-life scenarios from the complex world of transnational organized crime.

Guest speaker Tuemay Aregawi Desta, Head of the Transnational Organized Crime Pillar from the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), provided an overview of the transnational crime context in the region, referencing challenges with human trafficking and smuggling, as well as drug and firearm control.

“Just because we can’t see it doesn’t mean cooperation between these countries isn’t there,” said Desta. “It exists – between Kenyan and Tanzanian intelligence, between Somalia and Kenya immigration – it just has not been formalized and operationalized.”

Transnational organized crime was described through the analogy of a Hydra, with one participant, the Regional Immigration Director for Jubbaland, Somalia, commenting, “Transnational organized crime functions like the snake whose head is cut off, only for two to grow back in its place. If you’re able to get rid of one threat, another replaces it, how can we eliminate it?”

The workshop provided possible answers, which included a new level of coordination between Tanzania, Somalia and Kenya. Discussions centred on the international, regional and bilateral cooperation mechanisms in place and the gaps that exist to adequately address the phenomenon of transnational crime. It also provided the occasion to build transnational networks amongst intelligence, police and immigration.

As a result of the brainstorming, group work, discussion and debate, IOM drafted recommendations that will be published and shared with the respective governments. Participants gained an understanding of the legal frameworks that can underpin progress toward addressing transnational crime.

The workshop was supported by an IOM regional project funded by the Government of Canada. The project aims to reduce regional security threats by promoting cooperation, dialogue and information sharing, as well as strengthening border management capacities and community awareness.

IOM