Ethiopia and Italy have agreed to enhance cooperation in preventing and tackling transnational organized crimes, according to the Ethiopian Federal Police Commission.
Italy also pledged to support the Ethiopian police patrol boats responsible for securing the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
A high-level meeting between Ethiopian Federal Police Commissioner, Gen. Demelash Gebre-Michael, and Italian Carabinieri Deputy Commander, Lt. Gen. Riccardo Galletta, was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where the agreement was reached.
The Italian official confirmed during the discussion that the Italian Carabinieri, the national gendarmerie of Italy, will offer training to the Ethiopian police force in areas such as police leadership, forensic science, and VIP protection.
Furthermore, the two countries agreed to collaborate on providing material support for the establishment of a Forensic Science Institute at the Ethiopian Police University.
The joint effort is expected to enhance the investigative and analytical capacities of the Ethiopian police.
“This agreement is a testament to the growing security partnership between Ethiopia and Italy,” said Commissioner General Demelash. “By combining our resources and expertise, we can more effectively combat the common threat of organized cross-border crimes that pose a challenge to both our nations.”
The agreement, which came amid increasing cross-border crimes, like human trafficking, smuggling and terrorism in the Horn of Africa region, will have significant advantage in curbing the threats.