By Alfred Zacharia
Four countries bordering Lake Tanganyika have been urged to strengthen cooperation to tackle cross-border crime, environmental threats, and other security challenges affecting the lake, a key driver of regional economies.
The call was made by Tanzania’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr Ally Senga Gugu, during the opening of the Second International Lake Tanganyika Security Cooperation Conference in Dar es Salaam.
The conference focuses on piracy, illegal fishing, and other cross-border criminal activities.
Mr Gugu stressed the importance of intelligence sharing, joint patrols, and capacity building for law enforcement agencies, while also encouraging community policing to prevent crime at the local level.
“While Lake Tanganyika is crucial for the economies of the surrounding countries, it continues to face threats such as illegal fishing, smuggling, human trafficking, environmental crimes, and armed robbery,” he said.
He added that “We call on all participating countries to develop joint strategies and solidarity to address these challenges.”
Speaking on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Criminal Intelligence Charles Mkumbo said the conference brings together police chiefs from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Tanzania, and Zambia.
“The presence of police chiefs shows the shared commitment of these countries to strengthen regional cooperation in preventing cross-border crime,” he said, adding that the forum provides an opportunity to exchange experiences, discuss strategies, and reflect on the security of Lake Tanganyika.
The conference also aims to assess the implementation of previous agreements, monitor progress, and address challenges identified during the work of the Joint Permanent Commission on Defense and Security (JPDCS) between Tanzania and Zambia, as well as follow up on resolutions from the first international conference held in 2023 in Dar es Salaam.
Officials said enhanced regional cooperation is critical to protecting the lake’s resources, supporting local livelihoods, and ensuring long-term peace and security in the region.
