Rwanda has been a member of the International Criminal Police Organization, commonly known as INTERPOL, since September 19, 1974. The INTERPOL National Central Bureau Kigali (NCB Kigali) now operates within the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) and plays an important role in fighting transnational crime and sharing information with other member countries.
Rwanda Joined INTERPOL in 1974
Rwanda applied to become a member of INTERPOL on November 27, 1973. The country was admitted on September 19, 1974, alongside Honduras and Qatar during INTERPOL’s 43rd General Assembly held in Cannes, France.
INTERPOL’s main objective is to help combat transnational crime by facilitating the exchange of information about crimes and suspects among member countries so that offenders can be located and brought to justice. Today, INTERPOL has 196 member countries.
INTERPOL National Central Bureau Kigali Operates Within RIB
Following reforms in Rwanda’s justice system and the establishment of the Rwanda Investigation Bureau from the former Criminal Investigation Department of the National Police, the INTERPOL National Central Bureau Kigali was transferred to RIB.
The branch operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing several services related to international criminal investigations and information sharing.
Sharing Information on Suspects
One of the major responsibilities of the INTERPOL branch within RIB is receiving and sharing information about suspects who flee between INTERPOL member countries.
When a suspect flees to Rwanda or leaves Rwanda for another member country, information is exchanged through INTERPOL’s i24/7 communication system, which connects databases and facilitates the sharing of international notices.
The RIB branch monitors and implements these requests on a daily basis.
INTERPOL notices include Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, Black, Orange and Purple Notices. A Red Notice seeks the location and provisional arrest of a wanted person pending extradition. A Yellow Notice helps locate missing people, particularly children, or identify people who cannot identify themselves.
A Blue Notice seeks additional information about a person’s identity, location or activities. A Green Notice alerts countries about individuals involved in criminal activities, while a Black Notice seeks information about unidentified bodies.
An Orange Notice warns countries about serious and imminent security threats, while a Purple Notice shares information about criminal methods, procedures and techniques.
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Recovering Stolen Vehicles
The INTERPOL branch also helps search for and recover stolen vehicles and facilitate their return to their rightful owners.
The branch uses international databases to exchange information about vehicles reported as stolen or otherwise wanted in different countries.
When a vehicle being sought by another country is found in Rwanda, it can be seized and arrangements made for its return. Rwanda can also request assistance in recovering vehicles stolen or fraudulently sold in Rwanda but believed to be outside the country.
Over the past five years, 41 vehicles from Africa, the United States, Asia and Europe have been seized. Of these, 39 have already been returned to their owners, while two are still in the process of being returned.
Motor Vehicle Clearance Certificates
The INTERPOL branch within RIB also issues Motor Vehicle Clearance Certificates.
The certificate confirms that a vehicle has been checked against relevant international information and is not reported as stolen or wanted by another country.
The document is particularly important for car dealers importing or exporting used vehicles. It also helps prevent Rwanda from being used as a transit route for stolen vehicles.
Applications are submitted through the Irembo portal and are processed within ten days.
Applicants are required to provide a request letter, the vehicle registration certificate known as the Carte Jaune, proof from the Rwanda Revenue Authority showing that the vehicle’s license plates were returned, and a copy of the owner’s identification document or passport.
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Tracking Lost or Stolen Travel Documents
Another service provided by the INTERPOL branch is searching for and helping recover lost or stolen travel documents.
When a person loses a passport or has it stolen in Rwanda or another INTERPOL member country, a report is filed and information is collected to help track the document.
The details are then shared with other member countries to prevent the document from being misused.
This cooperation helps combat crimes such as identity theft, terrorism, human trafficking and illegal immigration.
INTERPOL Does Not Arrest Suspects
It is important to understand that INTERPOL itself does not have the authority to arrest suspects or conduct criminal investigations.
Its role is to facilitate international cooperation and share information with national police and investigative agencies.
National authorities are responsible for locating, investigating and arresting suspects in accordance with their domestic laws. INTERPOL helps connect these authorities and provides the international information-sharing mechanisms needed to support their work.
