Eswatini has thrown its support behind African contenders vying for top leadership positions in Interpol, as the global policing body elects a new Executive Committee during its 93rd General Assembly in Marrakech, Morocco.
National Commissioner of Police (NATCOM) Manoma Vusie Masango says the election of new global policing leaders was one of the most crucial outcomes of this year’s assembly, noting that the process would shape the future of international security cooperation.
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Interpol has published the full list of candidates for its Executive Committee, a structure responsible for steering the organisation’s strategic direction and ensuring the implementation of decisions endorsed by the General Assembly. Several positions are up for grabs as the terms of current officeholders come to an end, with nominations having closed on October 10.
Masango underscored the importance of balanced regional representation, revealing that the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was united in support of its preferred candidates.
“Having a new leader from the SADC region would mean that we are represented. We will be rooting for Namibia and Ethiopia,” he said.
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Namibia has put forward Major General Anne-Marie Nainda, Deputy Inspector General of the Namibian Police Force responsible for Administration while Ethiopia is fielding Commissioner General Demelash Gebremicheal Weldeyes, Chief of the Ethiopian Federal Police.
Both are contesting one of the most significant positions at this year’s assembly, the presidency of Interpol.
Other presidential candidates are from France and Türkiye.
The General Assembly, which is one of the world’s most powerful platforms for policing and security cooperation, brings together police chiefs and security leaders from all 196 member states. This year’s meeting takes place against the backdrop of increasingly sophisticated and rapidly evolving criminal threats.
For Eswatini, the summit not only offers a voice on the global stage but also provides an opportunity to deepen international partnerships and reaffirm its commitment to combating transnational crime.
Masango is accompanied by Deputy National Commissioner Mumsy Dlamini, Inspector Bhekumuzi Ginindza and Sergeant Tsepo Ngwenya, forming what is regarded as one of Eswatini’s most strategically selected delegations in recent years. The team has been actively engaging with counterparts from across SADC to strengthen the region’s unified approach to security challenges.
Speaking from Marrakech, Masango said the assembly was progressing well and that Eswatini was gaining valuable knowledge from the shared experiences of other member states. He emphasised that as crime continues to evolve at high speed, law enforcement agencies must innovate just as rapidly to stay ahead.
He added that SADC delegations were also holding side meetings to explore ways to boost regional cooperation beyond the assembly.
The newly elected leaders are expected to be announced at the close of the General Assembly later this month.
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