Niël Terblanché
Major General Anne-Marie Nainda, Deputy Inspector General of the Namibian Police, narrowly missed securing the position of Interpol Vice President for Africa during the 92nd Interpol General Assembly held in Glasgow, Scotland, this week.
“Unfortunately, Namibia did not secure enough votes to bring the victory home. Morocco won, and we congratulate them. We thank those member states who rallied behind and trusted General Nainda,” deputy commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, head of the Namibian Police’s public relations division, who also attended the assembly, said in a short statement.
She added that the election was a closely contested race among Namibia, Morocco, and Benin, with Morocco ultimately securing the position.
“Despite the election outcome, General Nainda continues to serve as a Delegate for Africa on Interpol’s Executive Committee, maintaining Namibia’s active role in international policing cooperation,” she said.
The 92nd Interpol General Assembly convened approximately 1 000 senior law enforcement officials from 178 of Interpol’s 196 member countries.
Namibia’s continued representation on Interpol’s Executive Committee ensures that the nation remains an integral part of the international law enforcement community, working collaboratively to address the evolving challenges of global security.
The assembly’s agenda included the election of nine new members to the Executive Committee, addressing vacancies left by outgoing members.
It was reported by the Associated Press news agency (AP) that during the conference, Valdecy Urquiza of Brazil was elected as the new Secretary General, marking the first time the position has been held by an individual from outside Europe or the United States.
The assembly also featured discussions on pressing global security issues, including organized crime, counter-terrorism, and cybercrime.
AP also reported that the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer, in his opening remarks, stressed the importance of international cooperation in tackling transnational crime.
“This is the General Assembly of the world’s security experts. It’s your cooperation across borders that saves lives, time and again,” the prime minister said.
Namibia’s delegation, led by the Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, actively participated in these discussions, underscoring the country’s commitment to global security initiatives.
According to Shikwambi, the Namibian Police Force’s engagement at the assembly reflects the force’s dedication to strengthening international partnerships and contributing to the global fight against crime.