The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission is holding a meeting from October 23 to 25, 2024, in Dakar, Senegal. The gathering aims to review the supplementary act that will establish the regional data exchange platform for the West African Police Information System (WAPIS). This initiative follows recommendations from the 10th WAPIS Steering Committee and ECOWAS Committee of Experts meeting held in May 2024.
Participants include representatives from ECOWAS Member States' Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior or Security, and Justice, along with officials from the ECOWAS Commission, European Union, and INTERPOL.
Richard Gotwe, Head of the WAPIS Programme and representing INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock, emphasized the need for commitment to implement actions making WAPIS a tool for law enforcement in the region. He highlighted that national platforms must be functional with regularly updated databases and well-developed financial resources mechanisms.
Dr. Abdourahman Dieng, Head of the Regional Security Division at ECOWAS Commission, noted that with European Union support, WAPIS has expanded across West Africa. He mentioned operational data collection centers and trained law enforcement agencies equipped with WAPIS workstations. "Today marks an important milestone in the implementation and sustainability of the WAPIS programme in the region… The regional data sharing platform is an essential aspect," said Dr. Dieng.
General Jean Baptiste Tine, Senegal’s Minister of Interior and Public Security represented by Mr. Cheik Niang expressed satisfaction with Senegal's involvement in WAPIS. “WAPIS-Senegal plays a catalytic role in strengthening security,” said General Tine. He stressed regional cooperation for secure criminal data exchange while respecting state sovereignty.
“Through this regional platform for exchanging criminal information, WAPIS will occupy an important place in the security architecture of West Africa,” stated General Tine.
The West African Police Information System (SIPAO) addresses security challenges by enabling efficient police information collection via a centralized system with national, regional, and international exchange capabilities. Funded by the 11th European Development Fund since November 2017 with a €28 million budget over 72 months, SIPAO aims to deploy throughout ECOWAS Member States and Mauritania.
Upon completion of this phase, a regional data-sharing platform will facilitate rapid operational information exchange among law enforcement agencies regarding wanted persons or stolen items to combat related offenses effectively.
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