INTERPOL media release
02 March 2006
INTERPOL regional bureau head assumes top post at Tanzanian police
LYON, France The head of the INTERPOL Sub-Regional Bureau in Nairobi, Saidi A. Mwema, has been appointed to lead the Tanzania Police Force.
As head of the INTERPOL Sub-Regional Bureau (SRB) in Nairobi, Mr Mwema provided support and direction for all INTERPOL activities in the region and oversaw the implementation of initiatives to address specific crimes in eastern Africa, including
human trafficking, small arms and light weapons, cattle rustling and
wildlife crime.
Mr Mwema was instrumental in the success of the first INTERPOL-sponsored training course for bomb-sniffing dogs and their handlers in eastern Africa in July 2005.
Mr Mwema, formerly Tanzania's assistant commissioner of police, said his position as head of SRB Nairobi, which works closely with the 10 member countries of the Eastern African Police Chiefs Co-operation Organization (EAPCCO) and also serves as its secretariat, would help him in his new role of Inspector General.
'I undertake to uphold police co-operation in the eastern Africa region as well as internationally, since I have the experience and knowledge acquired while working with the INTERPOL Sub-Regional Bureau in Nairobi,' he said.
INTERPOL Secretary General
Ronald K. Noble said: 'Mr Mwema did a fantastic job heading SRB Nairobi, and I expect his promotion will guarantee continued co-operation between SRB Nairobi and Tanzania and other INTERPOL member countries in the region.'
Mr Mwema replaces Tanzania's retiring Inspector General Omari Iddi Mahita. Mr Mwema resigned his post at INTERPOL on 1 March.
During his tenure, Mr Mwema oversaw the relocation of SRB Nairobi to an improved site, facilitated the signing of various regional agreements and enhanced co-operation with international bodies.
INTERPOL has other regional bureaus in Africa in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, and Harare, Zimbabwe, and is in the process of opening a fourth one to serve the central part of the continent in Yaoundé, Cameroon.