What's Happening?
The African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) is scheduled to receive a briefing from the Secretary-General of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), Valdecy Urquiza, on October 30. This briefing will focus on INTERPOL's
activities across Africa to combat transnational crime and terrorism, its support for Member States' law enforcement agencies, and strategies to strengthen its partnership with the AU, particularly with institutions like AFRIPOL and CISSA. This is not INTERPOL's first engagement with the PSC, with previous briefings often centered on transnational organized crime. The session will likely highlight the long-standing cooperation between INTERPOL and the AU, formalized by Memoranda of Understanding in 2011 and 2019, aimed at ensuring complementarity and avoiding duplication of efforts. A key program, the INTERPOL Support Programme for the AU in relation to AFRIPOL (ISPA), launched in 2020 and extended until December 2026, supports AFRIPOL in five key areas, including strengthening governance, enhancing capacity against various crimes, and establishing secure information-sharing networks.
Why It's Important?
This briefing is crucial for enhancing security and stability across the African continent, which faces significant challenges from transnational organized crime, cybercrime, and terrorism. The collaboration between INTERPOL and the AU, particularly through AFRIPOL, is vital for developing coordinated and effective law enforcement responses to these borderless threats. The ISPA Programme's focus on capacity building, technical assistance, and intelligence sharing directly addresses critical gaps in African law enforcement capabilities. Successful joint operations, such as Operation Serengeti III, which resulted in 1,462 arrests and the recovery of over $105 million in illicit funds, demonstrate the tangible impact of this cooperation. The PSC's discussion on integrating INTERPOL's expertise into addressing the intersection of organized crime and conflicts is particularly significant, as it acknowledges the complex interplay between criminal activities and regional instability. Strengthening these partnerships can lead to more robust security frameworks, better protection of citizens, and improved regional peace processes.
What's Next?
The PSC is expected to issue a communiqué reaffirming the importance of cooperation between INTERPOL and the AU, particularly AFRIPOL. The Council may follow up on previous decisions, such as establishing a structured continental mechanism for combating transnational organized crime and developing regional information papers. It is anticipated that the PSC will encourage INTERPOL to provide ongoing technical and operational support to the AU Commission and AFRIPOL to facilitate the implementation of these decisions. Given the increasing link between organized crime and conflicts, the Council may request a report from the AU Commission, in coordination with AFRIPOL and INTERPOL, on how transnational organized crime impacts current conflicts and state stability, along with recommendations for addressing this impact within peace processes. The conclusion of the second phase of the ISPA Programme in December 2026 also suggests that the briefing may include discussions on the program's future and potential extensions or new initiatives to continue supporting AFRIPOL's development.
Beyond the Headlines
Beyond the immediate security implications, the INTERPOL briefing highlights the evolving nature of global crime and the necessity for international cooperation to counter it. The emphasis on cybercrime, investment fraud, and money laundering reflects the increasing sophistication of criminal networks and their ability to exploit digital vulnerabilities. The success of joint operations underscores the importance of intelligence sharing and technical expertise in dismantling these networks. Furthermore, the discussion on the intersection of organized crime and conflicts points to a deeper understanding within the AU of how illicit activities can fuel instability, undermine governance, and impede peace efforts. This integrated approach, which considers crime as a factor in conflict dynamics, is crucial for developing comprehensive peacebuilding strategies. The ongoing collaboration also serves as a model for other regions grappling with similar challenges, demonstrating how international bodies can effectively support national and regional law enforcement agencies.
