The Central African Republic has officially launched its first integrated database aimed at tracking crimes and wanted persons. Located at the Ministry of the Interior in Bangui, this initiative was inaugurated by President Faustin-Archange Touadéra on October 8, as reported by The Rio Times.
A Joint System for Police and Gendarmerie
This new database merges information utilized by both the police and gendarmerie, facilitating improved information-sharing. According to the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSCA, this will help identify crime trends and coordinate responses to various criminal threats, notably those that cross borders. Prior to this, the police and gendarmerie had no unified database for recording offenses and suspects.
UN Involvement
The project was supported by MINUSCA, which financed infrastructure, equipment, and servers. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) provided expert technical assistance and training, as well as help with network connectivity. The Central African Republic’s government played its part by allocating land and overseeing additional construction.
During the inauguration, General Bienvenu Zokoué, the Minister of the Interior and Public Security, highlighted the handover of the center as a testament to the shared commitment to modernize security management and enhance internal security forces. Other UN representatives stressed the importance of utilizing the system in line with legal standards.
Future Steps
MINUSCA plans to expand the database to include the judicial police and investigative services of the gendarmerie, with future efforts focused on data backup and regional rollouts. Rugwabiza urged the government to ensure the center is staffed with qualified personnel, adequately funded, and equipped with reliable internet connectivity.
Additionally, there are calls for protecting personal data and ensuring confidentiality and respect for rights when handling information within the system.
