The 27th African Regional Conference of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) has on August 30, 2025 officially concluded in Cape Town after three days of intense deliberations centered on advancing cooperation in the fight against transnational organized crime.
The Sierra Leone delegation was led by Inspector General of Police (IGP), William Fayia Sellu, who also chairs the West Africa Police Chiefs Committee (WAPCCO).
Held under the theme “Leveraging Cooperation, Innovation and Partnerships to Fight Transnational Organized Crime,” the conference brought together police chiefs and senior representatives from 40 African nations and 16 partner countries, alongside INTERPOL’s global leadership. The gathering was formally opened by South Africa’s Acting Minister of Police, Professor Firoz Cachalia and attended by INTERPOL President, Major General Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi of the United Arab Emirates and Secretary General, Valdecy Urquiza, of Brazil.
Delegates engaged in wide-ranging discussions addressing pressing security threats, including money laundering, drug trafficking, human trafficking, terrorism, environmental crimes and cybercrime. The forum provided a platform for member states to explore new strategies, strengthen operational frameworks and reinforce collective resilience against criminal networks that transcend borders.
In his remarks, IGP William Fayia Sellu emphasized Sierra Leone and West Africa’s pivotal role within INTERPOL’s global security framework. He outlined five strategic goals guiding the region’s fight against organized crime and highlighted progress made through the enactment of national cybercrime legislation in Sierra Leone, Ghana and Nigeria under the ECOWAS framework.
However, William Fayia Sellu cautioned that laws alone are insufficient. “Continuous capacity building, resource sharing and joint enforcement remain essential in safeguarding our region from evolving digital threats,” he stated.
Addressing the vulnerabilities posed by borderless cybercrime, IGP William Fayia Sellu pointed to persistent challenges such as limited infrastructure, insufficient skilled personnel and weak enforcement mechanisms. “Cyber threats do not recognize borders. Our response must therefore be strategic, inclusive and collaborative. With sustained political will, regional solidarity and global cooperation, we can build a resilient and secure digital future for all,” he underscored.
The Cape Town conference also served as a platform for African nations to present candidatures for key leadership roles within INTERPOL, including the position of INTERPOL Delegate for Africa and seats on the INTERPOL African Committee. These will be decided at the upcoming INTERPOL General Assembly in Morocco.
The conference concluded with the adoption of a set of recommendations aimed at bolstering international collaboration, enhancing capacity-building programmes and advancing joint enforcement efforts. The outcomes underscored the determination of African police chiefs and their global partners to work together in dismantling organized criminal networks and securing the continent against future threats.
The 27th INTERPOL African Regional Conference reaffirmed that collective action, backed by innovation and partnerships, remains the strongest weapon in the continent’s fight against transnational crime.
