The East African Community (EAC) has launched a joint programme to address the growing security threats in the six-nation bloc and its neighbours.
The security programme which aims to boost regional and cross border security in East Africa is funded by the European Union (EU).
The 45-month programme was launched by EAC secretary general Ambassador Liberat Mfumukeko and the EU ambassador to Tanzania, Manfredo Fanti in Arusha on Wednesday.
“The project being launched today [Wednesday] will seek to reduce opportunities for transnational and cross border threats in the integration process, ” said Mr Mfumukeko.
It will be implemented by the EAC Secretariat and the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) and will complement several other initiatives to provide peace and security in the region.
Mr. Fanti said that no country was immune to transnational crimes such as terrorism, noting that the project would hinge on capacity building and exchange of information.
The grant is part of 85 million euros ($93 million) the EU has disbursed to the bloc for a five-year period (2016-2021) to support various development initiatives in the region, according to Mr Mfumukeko.
