The United Arab Emirates’ (UAE’s) Inspector General (IG), Major-General Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al-Raisi, had been soliciting the Gambia’s support in his bid for the top job of International Criminal Police Organization famously known as INTERPOL.
The Inspector General at the Interior Ministry of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who expected to toss his hat into ring–for the presidency of the international policing body, on Thursday, July 22nd during a day-long working visit, met with relevant Gambia Government institutions.
Maj. Gen. Dr. Al-Raisi explained he was in Gambia to strengthen the existing bilateral ties between the Federal Islamic State of The United Arab Emirates and the Republic of The Gambia, and to formally inform Gambian authorities of his intention to run for INTERPOL presidency in the forthcoming elections.
The visiting UAE IG and his entourage began their visit at the Ministry of Interior, where he held a closed-door meeting with Gambia’s Interior Minister, Yankuba Sonko.
Some of the pertinent issues discussed, as disclosed, included the strengthening of security cooperation between the two countries, in terms of capacity trainings on Ballistics, Scientific support, fingerprint, pathologist and communication surveillance among other security-related areas.
Major General Dr. Al-Raisi said: “Africa is an essential member of INTERPOL. I promised to fulfill the security needs of Africa, especially The Gambia, at the INTERPOL.”
The team had also visited the Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Mamadou Tangara, and the Police Headquarters in Banjul, during which he had discussions with the relevant authorities on matters of mutual interest towards strengthening security relations between Gambia and UAE, and on his bid for INTERPOL presidency.
Maj. Gen. Al-Raisi was then decorated with a meritorious medal by Inspector General of the Gambia Police Force (GPF), Mr. Abdoulie Sanyang.
In the same vein, the General also presented an insignia of the UAE Interior Ministry, bearing the famous UAE monuments, to IGP Sanyang as a sign of appreciation and cooperation.The delegation finally paid a courtesy call on His Excellency, President Adama Barrow at State House in Banjul.
Addressing members of the press, after his meeting with the Gambian leader, Maj.Gen. Al-Raisi indicated that, “We will continue the cooperation since The Gambia and UAE have strong bilateral ties, and we want to strengthen relationships in the security field for the common good of both countries’’.
He expressed gratitude to the Gambia Government for their support to his bidding for the INTERPOL President in the upcoming presidential race; acknowledging that he is overwhelmed with the reception Gambia accorded his delegation.
According to the Public Relations Officer of the UAE Interior Ministry, General Al-Raisi has been a member of the Executive Committee of INTERPOL since 2018 and has held several senior positions in Abu Dhabi Police Force before becoming Director General, Administration.
Dr.Al-Raisi is an expert in policing technology, forensics management, and international anti-crime coordination. He has a diploma in Police Administration from the University of Cambridge, Master’s Degree in Innovative Management from Coventry University, and a Doctorate Degree in Policing, Security and Community Safety from London Metropolitan University.
His delegation included Souleymane Racine Wane, Adviser and Partner for Africa; Hamad Hatir, Head of International Cooperation of Ministry of Interior; Amal Al Khoori, Head of Asian and African Affairs of Ministry of Interior; Ali Al Ammari, Strategic Department at UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
