Angola: Zim, Angola Sign Security Co-Operation Accord

March 19, 2007 – (The Herald) Zimbabwe and Angola have signed a public order and security cooperation agreement to deal with human trafficking; money laundering and counterfeiting; drug trafficking; and illegal trafficking of firearms, explosives and ammunition. Speaking at the signing ceremony in Harare last week, Home Affairs Minister Cde Kembo Mohadi said the agreement was an indication of the friendly relations that exist between the two countries.

"It is in the spirit of achieving public order and security for both our peoples and the region at large that we have agreed to co-operate in the exchange of police and immigration information in the ambit of fugitives and sought criminals, drug production and trafficking and related activities. "This will also cover money laundering and counterfeiting as well as terrorism, illegal trafficking of firearms, explosives and ammunition," he said.

Cde Mohadi said Zimbabwe had discovered large deposits of precious stones ranging from diamonds to emeralds and that had led to unscrupulous individuals smuggling the minerals out of the country for their benefit at the expense of the country at large. He said the agreement will see Zimbabwe and Angola sharing information on those criminals since Angola's diamond industry was older and more established than Zimbabwe's.

"Human trafficking is already a huge problem in the region and is second only to drugs as a profit-making business for the criminal underworld. "We have seen an increase in the cases involving the trafficking of women and children within the region," he said.

He said in this era of HIV and Aids, women and children were the most vulnerable groups and must be protected. Cde Mohadi also said people must be free to exercise their rights to liberty and freedom of movement. "I am glad to say that both our police services will from now on conduct joint operations to fight transnational crime that may affect the two countries."

He said it was imperative that the two countries weeded out those that would subvert the peace and the tranquillity prevailing in the two countries as they engage in criminal activities that posed a threat to public order and security in the region.

"I hope the spirit that underpins this agreement will continue to guide all our relations in all spheres of co-operation between our people. It is also in this spirit that I ask that we move to implement this agreement with speed if we are to effectively serve our two great nations."

Speaking at the same occasion, Angolan Minister of the Interior General Roberto Leal Ramos Monteiro said Zimbabwe and Angola's friendship and ties date back to the days of the liberation war and the ties had been strengthened. He said the security agreement was of importance to the future of the two countries.

"The changes of the world and changing crime phenomenon calls for co-operation to protect our common interests," said Gen Monteiro. He said the co-operation agreement should make Angola and Zimbabwe feel proud because of their efficiency and there were other areas like tourism that also required co-operation.

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Cde Obert Matshalaga, Police Commissioner Cde Augustine Chihuri, Home Affairs secretary Cde Melusi Matshiya and other Government officials witnessed the signing of the agreement.

From : http://allafrica.com/stories/200703190274.html