The African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation (AFRIPOL) Holds the First Meeting of the Heads of its National Liaison Offices

Algiers, Algeria – 28 November 2019: The African Union Mechanism for police cooperation (AFRIPOL) Secretariat held the first meeting for the Heads of its National Liaison Offices, in Algiers, Algeria, from 26-28 November 2019. The meeting enabled to clarification of the roles and responsibilities of the AFRIPOL National Liaison Offices in facilitating the implementation of AFRIPOL activities at national level. Participants also received an update on the AFRIPOL Five-year strategic work plan (2020-2024) and the Regulations of the African Police Communication System (AFSECOM) communication system, as adopted by the Third General Assembly of AFRIPOL that was held from 2 to 3 October 2019, in Algiers, Algeria.

The meeting was opened by His Excellency Khelifa Ounissi, the Director General for National Security of Algeria, in his capacity as President of the AFRIPOL General Assembly. He stressed the need for enhanced police cooperation in the continent, the need to empower police agencies in the continent through training and capacity building in order to equip them with skills to effectively fight transnational organized crime and terrorism, which are a major security challenge to the continent. The Executive Director of the AFRIPOL Secretariat, Dr. Tarek A. Sharif, on his part, highlighted the role that AFRIPOL is expected to play in enhancing cooperation among the police agencies in the continent in the fight against transnational organized crime and terrorism.

Participants came up with concrete recommendations on improving communication and sharing of information and data at national, regional and international levels, and on modalities for coordinated and targeted capacity building. The AFRIPOL Secretariat will continue to work with partners to support the police agencies of the member states on enhanced cooperation in combating transnational organized crime and terrorism.