Tanzania has called for stronger regional cooperation and intelligence sharing to dismantle criminal networks and curb drug trafficking and other cross-border crimes in the Indian Ocean region.
Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Policy, Parliament, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities), Prof Palamagamba Kabudi, made the call while leading Tanzania’s delegation to a ministerial meeting of the Tripartite Cooperation (TPC) in Pretoria, South Africa, on October 15, 2026.
The meeting, involving Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa, focused on strengthening joint efforts to combat transnational organised crime. It was preceded by a senior officials’ meeting on October 14.
Prof Kabudi said closer collaboration among security agencies was essential to identifying suspects, dismantling criminal networks and strengthening border security.
“The meeting aimed to discuss strategies for strengthening cooperation among the participating countries in controlling drug trafficking in the Indian Ocean region, as well as other crimes, including human trafficking, kidnapping and cross-border criminal activities,” he said.
He said criminals increasingly exploit gaps along national borders and weaknesses in enforcement systems, making coordinated regional responses critical to preventing and disrupting illegal activities.
The minister stressed the importance of sharing intelligence and strengthening cooperation among law enforcement agencies to improve the countries’ capacity to detect and respond to emerging security threats.
In a related development, Prof Kabudi welcomed TPC member states to Tanzania ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Tanzania will co-host with Kenya and Uganda in June and July next year.
He urged the countries to use the continental football tournament as an opportunity to strengthen joint measures against drug trafficking and other forms of organised crime.
Prof Kabudi warned that major international events could create opportunities for criminal networks to conduct illegal activities, underscoring the need for coordinated security preparations among participating countries.
The tournament is expected to bring together teams, officials, supporters and visitors from across Africa, making cooperation among security agencies important in addressing potential cross-border security risks.
The meeting also approved applications by Angola and Uganda to join the TPC, expanding the regional cooperation framework to five member states.
The membership now comprises South Africa, Angola, Mozambique, Tanzania and Uganda, with the organisation’s headquarters in Mozambique.
The expansion is expected to broaden opportunities for intelligence sharing, joint security initiatives and coordinated action against criminal networks operating across national boundaries.
Senior officials from drug control authorities, police agencies and development partners also attended the meeting, including representatives of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the European Union.
Delegations from Angola, Uganda, Comoros, Seychelles, Eswatini, the United Kingdom and the United States also participated in discussions on strengthening regional responses to crime, exchanging experiences and improving cooperation.
The meeting highlighted the need for sustained collaboration between governments, law enforcement agencies and international partners to address the growing complexity of transnational crime and strengthen security across the region.