Regional Operational Centre in Khartoum (ROCK) in support of the Khartoum Process, the African Union Horn of Africa Initiative and the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (EAPCCO) – phase II

The complexity of the phenomenon of trafficking in human beings and migrant smuggling requires a comprehensive response. It is essential, at the policy and operational levels, to ensure cross-border, regional and international cooperation, in particular through the development and exchange of knowledge and information, as well as the interoperability of information systems.

It is with this in mind, that the "Regional Operational Centre in Khartoum in support of the Khartoum Process and AU-Horn of Africa Initiative (ROCK)” project was born. It is designed to improving knowledge and information sharing between the different countries of the Horn of Africa. The project to set up and run the ROCK from 3 December 2017 to 30 April 2022, was an initiative funded by the European Union at the request of the Khartoum Process countries. The creation of an information-sharing centre based in Khartoum - at the crossroads for migration -, in which 10 liaison officers from the Horn of Africa (Djibouti, DRC, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Chad and Uganda) has shown to be innovative and relevant. The IT equipment and technical support provided by the project has shown concrete operational results. The ROCK has participated in INTERPOL operations (Operation Tartan, Weka, Liberterra), which have resulted in the arrest of numerous suspects and the rescue of many more victims, but more importantly police operations have also been carried out by the countries themselves as a result of information provided by the project, freeing victims of extortion, torture, detention for ransom, sexual violence and exploitation, forced labour and domestic servitude. Liaison Officers are an effective operational way to complement traditional information sharing agreements and to encourage international collaboration and synergies to fight criminal organisations. 

Results obtained:

- + 645 intelligence reports were transmitted to INTERPOL via the Interpol National Office in Khartoum or Nairobi

- INTERPOL official partner of the project since December 2020 (1 full-time Criminal Analyst on the project, Criminal Information Analysis, training of OLs, regional operations, study of the installation of I24/7 within ROCK)

- Establishment, development and sustainability of a regional network of operational contacts in the implementation of a global strategy to combat criminal networks.

- Thanks to the sharing of information and reports sent via INTARPOL I24/7, ROCK has participated in the success of numerous operations (For example: Arrest of Kidane, one of the most wanted traffickers).
 

In terms of number, this represents:

- 2633 victims were released and identified

- 10 trafficking networks were dismantled.

- 74 traffickers were arrested

- 61.3% of the incident reporting objective was achieved

- One of the world's most famous fugitives has been arrested in Sudan, thanks to joint actions.

 

The Overall Objective (Impact) of this action is to contribute to reduce the number of incidents of trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants in East Africa and enhance victims´ protection.