In July 2019, the Wayamo Foundation hosted the fifth in the series of network meetings of Directors of Public Prosecutions (DPPs), Directors of Criminal Investigations (DCIs) and Deputy Attorneys–General of Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia and Ethiopia. The event was designed to develop strategies to ensure effective investigation and prosecution of complex crimes, and intensify inter-agency collaboration at the regional level. The event was organised with support from the Better Migration Management (BMM) programme and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). After the event some of the participants shared their thoughts on the benefits and need for an East African Network of prosecutors and investigators.
The Network of Heads of Public Prosecutions and Criminal Investigations in the East African Region (the East Africa Network) was established in November 2018. The overall aim of the East Africa Network is to strengthen the rule of law by ensuring effective investigation and prosecution of complex crimes and intensifying inter-agency collaboration at the regional level. The Wayamo Foundation is the Network’s secretariat and convener.
The East Africa Network’s four main functions are to: act as an avenue for regional and cross-border collaboration and mutual legal assistance in international and transnational criminal cases; promote and encourage collaboration among investigators and prosecutors by following an inter-agency approach; serve as a think-tank and foster discussions about emerging crime patterns as well as a forum to share information and formulate strategies to counter new security threats; and develop effective training and capacity building programmes in order to strengthen the relevant crime units of the member countries.
