Lawyers launch initiative to combat cross-border crimes

An African alliance of attorneys has launched an initiative aimed at combating transnational crimes on the continent.

The Conference of Western Attorneys General Africa Alliance Partnership (CWAG AAP) has partnered with the East Africa Law Society (EALS) to raise awareness and build capacity to tackle cross-border crimes by promoting the rule of law in the East Africa region.

CWAG-AAP Board member Markus Green said that they are committed to putting an end to organised crimes coordinated across national borders, which often involve groups or networks of individuals, and often include the use of systematic violence and corruption.

He called for international cooperation of Africa law enforcement agencies and stakeholders in the public and private sector to uphold the rule of law.

“We combat these crimes through training workshops and by participating in seminars and conferences organised in collaboration with various partners on the continent," said Mr Green while speaking during the opening ceremony of the three-day 23rd EALS annual conference in Mombasa Friday.

END ORGANISED CRIME

He said that they are committed to putting an end to organised crime across national borders which often involve groups or networks of individuals and also includes the use of systematic violence and corruption.

This they will do through training workshops, and by participating in seminars and conferences organised in collaboration with various partners in Africa.

Mr Green explained that as an organisation, they are currently working with the African ministries of justice, attorneys general, solicitors general, and public prosecution agencies to share knowledge and experience in the fight against crimes such as human trafficking, money laundering, wildlife trafficking, cyber-crime, counterfeit drugs, corruption and other cross-border criminal activities.

COLLABORATION

"We are delighted as this is part of our ongoing collaboration with the East Africa Law Society in the efforts to promote the legal profession and build their capacity in the East Africa region. As a matter of fact, this is our second event since the signing of the MoU during the jointly organised workshop on forensic evidence, cybercrime, electronic evidence and data protection workshop in Kigali, Rwanda mid this year," he said.

Mr Green stated that they will be collaborating with key stakeholders in Kenya to hold workshops in February 2019 on counterfeit drugs, money laundering and asset recovery in an effort to combat these cross-border crimes.

"At present, we can proudly say that we are making a difference in Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia," he said.

EXCHANGE IDEAS

This initiative by CWAG-AAP aims at exchanging ideas and raising awareness on global concerns relating to transnational crimes through capacity building as well as promoting the rule of law among the African legal professionals.

CWAG is a US-based organisation with 38 participating states in the US providing a forum for law enforcement agencies to share knowledge and cooperate on concerns which improve the quality of justice and legal services.

Through its African Alliance Partnership, CWAG seeks to establish and foster robust relationships with the African justice and anti-transnational crimes stakeholders, states and non-states to support the rule of law.