Cape Town, South Africa – 30 August 2025 – The 27th INTERPOL African Regional Conference has concluded in Cape Town after three days of high-level discussions focused on strengthening international cooperation in the fight against transnational organised crime.
The Sierra Leone delegation was led by the country’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr William Fayia Sellu, who also serves as Chairman of the West Africa Police Chiefs Committee (WAPCCO).
Held under the theme “Leveraging Cooperation, Innovation, and Partnerships to Fight Transnational Organised Crime,” the conference was officially opened by Professor Firoz Cachalia, South Africa’s Acting Minister of Police. The event was attended by INTERPOL President Major General Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi of the United Arab Emirates, Secretary General Mr Valdecy Urquiza of Brazil, police chiefs and representatives from 40 African nations, as well as officials from 16 other countries.
The gathering examined joint strategies to combat money laundering, drug trafficking, human trafficking, terrorism, environmental crimes, cybercrime, and other emerging security threats.
In his interventions, IGP Sellu positioned Sierra Leone and the wider West African region as pivotal players within INTERPOL’s global security framework. He highlighted the five strategic goals guiding the region’s response to transnational organised crime, stressing that countries such as Sierra Leone, Ghana, and Nigeria have already enacted national cybercrime legislation in line with the ECOWAS framework.
However, he noted that legislation alone is not enough. “Continuous capacity building, resource sharing, and joint enforcement remain essential in safeguarding our region from evolving digital threats,” Sellu said.
Delegates also used the platform to present candidatures for the position of INTERPOL Delegate for Africa, to be decided at the upcoming INTERPOL General Assembly in Morocco, as well as for seats on the INTERPOL African Committee.
While acknowledging progress, IGP Sellu drew attention to persistent challenges such as limited infrastructure, a shortage of skilled personnel, weak enforcement mechanisms, and the borderless nature of cybercrime. “Cyber threats do not recognise 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 emphasised.
The conference concluded with the adoption of several recommendations aimed at reinforcing international collaboration, enhancing capacity building, and advancing collective action against transnational organised crime.
SLP Media Team
