For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.
Over the last month, as part of the Regional EU Law Enforcement Project, Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia have produced their own equivalent of the Fiches Belges
The Fiches summarise the relevant law and procedure for gathering evidence and use of Special Investigation Techniques (SITs) in each State. Further, Single Points of Contact have been established in the Greater Horn of Africa Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) Network, enabling prosecutors to be proactive in urgent circumstances.
Working with EU experts, and those in-country from the Judiciary, Law Enforcement, Prosecution, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Central Authorities – MLA practitioners have produced a Fiches that will assist their colleagues in other jurisdictions when they need to know how to secure evidence or deploy SITs.
The production of the Fiches, and their enhancement of strengthening regional cooperation, was endorsed by the Attorney General of Kenya, the Director of Public Prosecutions of Uganda and the Deputy Attorney General of Ethiopia.
Although, as a Prosecutor reminded us in closing remarks in Ethiopia, “We have the enthusiasm – now we need to see the continued commitment of all States!”
This reminded me of the famous Rudyard Kipling line, “For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack”
Now the MLA Network need to use the tools they have produced, and the contacts made, to sustain their collective strength!
