Shikongo flies Nainda’s flag on world stage… deepens security ties with China and US

Police Inspector General Joseph Shikongo called his recent trips to China and the United States very productive.

He highlighted the knowledge he had gained in police strategies and Namibia’s campaign for the Interpol vice-presidency.

Shikongo revealed this during an extensive interview with New era last Wednesday, before leaving for China to attend the Global Security Cooperation Summit in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province.

He looked back on his four-day visit to China, from June 20 to 24 at the invitation of the Chinese Minister of Public Security.

“We were there to learn from their strategies for tackling crime, especially in a country of 1.4 billion people,” Shikongo noted.

“What was striking is the level of public safety, especially in big cities like Beijing. Despite a population of 30 million, no crimes were reported during our stay.

We visited a law enforcement center to observe how Chinese police deal with offenders, victims of crimes and all crimes in overcrowded areas, especially Beijing. In three of the largest cities in China, the public safety standards are all the same,” he added.

His invitation came after a Chinese delegation visited Namibia in 2023, signaling the growing relationship between the two countries.

In addition, Shikongo and his delegation visited the United Nations Intergovernmental Police Cooperation Programme (UNIPOC) between June 24 and 26.

The tour included insights into China’s ‘smart city’ concepts – integrated surveillance technologies that contribute to public safety. “Their smart city infrastructure is something we are keen to explore and adapt for Namibia as our cities grow,” Shikongo said.

Unlimited

He said the relationship between Namibia and China is not limited to police work but has also expanded through platforms such as the United Nations and Interpol, of which both countries are members.

“China’s focus on tackling transnational organized crime aligns with Namibia’s concerns. Our cooperation at both the national and international levels is essential to address these shared challenges,” Shikongo added.

Candidate Nainda

Anne-Marie Nainda, Namibia’s Deputy Inspector General for Administration, has emerged as a strong candidate for the Interpol vice-chairmanship, a significant milestone for both her country and the global police community.

Shikongo said that as a seasoned law enforcement officer with decades of experience, Nainda not only represents Namibia’s growing influence on international policing, but also highlights the increasing role of women in leadership positions within law enforcement globally.

“Her extensive experience and dedication to international policing make her an ideal candidate. Namibia is poised to provide Interpol with fresh perspectives and strong leadership.”

Nainda’s successful career with the Namibian Police has earned her widespread recognition for her contributions to crime prevention, law enforcement and international cooperation.

“Having come through the ranks, she has played a key role in advancing Namibia’s policing strategies, particularly in the areas of organised crime, gender-based violence and community safety,” he said.

Her candidacy comes at a crucial time for Namibia, which is actively committed to strengthening relations with other countries through platforms such as UNIPOC and Interpol.

Representing a country with a growing international profile, Nainda’s experience and leadership are seen as key assets in tackling global challenges such as human trafficking, terrorism, cybercrime and transnational organised crime.

Shikongo said that if successful, Nainda would not only be the first Namibian woman, but also one of the few women to hold such a high position in the history of Interpol. This is a significant achievement in the quest for gender equality in international police leadership.

Her election would symbolise a historic moment for Namibia and strengthen the country’s position as a major player on the global law enforcement stage, the police chief continued.

UNIPOC

Shikongo also said he attended international meetings within the framework of UNIPOC, a global initiative aimed at promoting cooperation among police forces worldwide, which was held in New York.

His trip to the United States, as part of his Interpol campaign, also included attendance at the United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit (UNiCoPP), where police leaders from around the world shared strategies and best practices.

“We have learned so much from each other and this experience – combined with our cooperation with China – will significantly strengthen our policing efforts in Namibia,” Shikongo added.

UNIPOC, a subsidiary of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations, provides a platform for the exchange of knowledge, experiences and resources to strengthen law enforcement and peacekeeping missions worldwide.

Grow

Namibia’s role within UNIPOC has grown in recent years. The Namibian police have become an active participant in international peacekeeping operations, particularly in Africa.

Through UNIPOC, Namibia has benefited from training, logistical support and joint initiatives with international police forces, including China.

Shikongo’s participation in the recent UNiCoPP in New York City was part of Namibia’s broader strategy to campaign for the Interpol vice-chairmanship.

“Sharing knowledge with other police chiefs is invaluable. It strengthens our capacity and strengthens our candidacy for leadership of Interpol,” he said.

As Namibia seeks the vice-presidency of Interpol, UNIPOC serves as a crucial network for Shikongo’s interactions with police chiefs around the world.

“I have had bilateral meetings with police representatives from Europe, including the Netherlands, Germany, Russia, Belgium and Turkey. These discussions revolved around the candidacy of our Executive Member Nainda for the position of Vice-President of Interpol.

“Through UNIPOC, we have built strong relationships that will support Namibia’s candidacy. Our partnership with China in particular has been instrumental in demonstrating that Namibia is ready for leadership on the international police stage,” he added.

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