At 36th police chiefs technical sub-committee confab: Experts discuss easing movement of persons, goods within CEMAC.

The meeting took place in Yaounde, Wednesday. The meeting was in prelude to the 4th Ordinary Security Session of CAPCCO, which opened Thursday. 

Speaking at the end of the meeting, which held behind closed doors, the Attaché to the Permanent Secretary of the CAPCCO, Mossedzedi Makele Boris Gaetan, who is also Congo Brazzaville Commander of Police, said focus was on the recommendations of last year’s session. 

Mossedzedi Makele told pressmen that implementation of the resolutions were assessed at almost 50 percent implemented. 

He explained that one of the most important recommendations they made at the end of the meeting was on ways to ease free movement within the sub-region.

According to the Commander of Police Mossedzedi Makele, unlike other regional blocs where free movement is no longer a major difficulty for citizens, those of the CEMAC Sub-Region still face the challenge. 

The attaché to the Permanent Secretary disclosed that there are plans underway to enable people to “move with their passports or they can use their ID cards in the region”. 

This, he stressed, will permit the population to sell and communicate effectively. 

Hints on accompanying measures

Although Commander of Police Mossedzedi Makele admitted that the free movement of persons and goods has become “increasingly effective”, the committee, he restated has resolved to outline accompanying measures to regulate the movements.

Mossedzedi Makele said they are in the process of identifying measures in this light. He also talked about ensuring free movement is not abused by criminals.

He stressed that for free movement to be effective, states need to be secure so that the community can maximize exchanges in a secure environment. 

“We have a project which consists of securing these borders by installing communications systems which allow us to have all the information concerning the delinquents in movement,” the official stated.

He added that: “As soon as they are identified at border, they are quickly arrested and placed at the disposal of the services to answer for the criminal acts which they have committed wherever they are found”.

The Police Commander added that, it’s only through synergies that results can be achieved. He underscored that: “The Council of Police Chiefs of Central Africa, CPACCO, which brings together 8 States, has decided to join forces to fight for the implementation of security policies in the sub-region”.

Introduction of CEMAC Joint Brigade 

According to the attaché to the Permanent Secretary of the CAPCCO, they intend to introduce a CEMAC Joint Brigade in early 2025. 

“…Missions are being conducted in all CEMAC member countries in order to obtain a list of the civil servants and law enforcement officers, who are going to constitute that join brigade. It will be operational at almost January next year,” Commander of Police Mossedzedi Makele said. 

Combatting fake medicine

Experts at the meeting also unanimously agreed to combat the circulation of fake medicine in the region. 

According to Mossedzedi Makele, a robust operation is scheduled to take place next year, to get rid of the rising phenomenon which puts the population at risk. 

“During our meeting, we noticed that fake medicine is really a serious problem in our region. That is why we plan for next year a very big operation concerning the detection of fake medicine,” Commander of Police Mossedzedi Makele said. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3234 of Thursday September 19, 2024