AFRIPOL and INTERPOL Hold 7th ISPA Steering Committee Meeting and Reaffirm Continued Cooperation Lyon, France – 16 December 2025

AFRIPOL and INTERPOL convened the 7th Steering Committee Meeting of the INTERPOL Support Programme for the African Union in relation to AFRIPOL (ISPA) at INTERPOL Headquarters in Lyon, marking an important milestone as the programme approaches the end of its current cycle.

Co-chaired by H.E. Ambassador Jalel Chelba, Acting Executive Director of AFRIPOL, and Mr. Abdulaziz Obaidalla, Director of Global Outreach and Regional Support at INTERPOL, the meeting reviewed the achievements of ISPA Phases 1 and 2, including progress made in strengthening AFRIPOL’s institutional capacities, enhancing training and operational coordination, and supporting African Member States in addressing transnational organised crime.

Participants welcomed the positive impact of ISPA and commended the joint efforts of AFRIPOL and INTERPOL teams, as well as the strong engagement of African Union stakeholders and partners, with particular appreciation expressed for the support provided by the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO), the principal donor of the programme. The Steering Committee also discussed lessons learned and examined the final evaluation of ISPA Phase 2.

While noting the conclusion of the current ISPA cycle, the Steering Committee reaffirmed the strategic importance of continued cooperation between AFRIPOL and INTERPOL. Members recommended building on the operational successes and cooperation modalities developed under ISPA and exploring future frameworks or projects, subject to the availability of funding, to sustain support to African Member States.

The meeting confirmed that ISPA has laid a solid foundation for long-term AFRIPOL–INTERPOL partnership, anchored in complementarity, trust and African ownership, and opened the way for continued collaboration in support of peace and security across the continent.