Police Chiefs Across Southern Africa Unite to Tackle Regional Security Threats
By Anton Wokie
LILONGWE, MALAWI – Southern African police leaders will gather in Malawi next week for a high-level regional security meeting aimed at strengthening cooperation against growing cross-border and transnational organised crime across the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The 31st Annual General Meeting of the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (SARPCCO) is scheduled to take place in Lilongwe from 11 to 12 June 2026. The meeting will bring together Chiefs of Police from SADC member states to assess emerging security threats and coordinate regional responses.
According to the SADC Secretariat, discussions will focus on a range of crimes increasingly affecting the region, including cybercrime, financial crime, trafficking in persons, migrant smuggling, illicit drug trafficking, terrorism, motor vehicle theft, livestock crime, and the proliferation of illegal firearms.
The gathering comes at a time when criminal networks are becoming more sophisticated and increasingly operate across national borders, making regional cooperation essential for effective law enforcement.
Malawi’s Minister of Homeland Security, Peter Mukhito, is expected to officially open the meeting, while the proceedings will be chaired by Malawi Police Service Inspector General and current SARPCCO Chairperson Richard Chakupaleza Chikoko Luhanga.
Beyond addressing immediate security concerns, police leaders will review progress made in implementing key regional instruments designed to combat organised crime. These include the SADC Integrated Strategy to Prevent and Combat Transnational Organised Crime and its accompanying Action Plan, as well as the SADC Protocol on the Control of Firearms, Ammunition and Related Materials.
Security analysts note that cross-border criminal activities remain one of the region’s most persistent challenges, particularly as technological advancements have enabled criminals to exploit digital platforms for fraud, cyber-attacks and illicit financial transactions. Human trafficking, illegal migration networks and drug trafficking routes also continue to pose significant threats to public safety and regional stability.
The annual SARPCCO meeting serves as one of the region’s most important policing platforms, allowing member states to share intelligence, coordinate investigations and develop joint strategies to tackle crimes that no single country can effectively address on its own.
The outcomes of the meeting are expected to contribute to SADC’s broader vision of building a peaceful, secure and prosperous region as outlined in the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030 and SADC Vision 2050.
Ahead of the main meeting, Heads of INTERPOL National Bureau Centres will meet on 8 June, followed by sessions of SARPCCO’s Technical Organs from 9 to 10 June, setting the stage for discussions among regional police chiefs.
Established in 1995, SARPCCO brings together police leaders from SADC member states to promote cooperation, information sharing and coordinated action against cross-border crime. The organisation plays a critical role in strengthening regional security by facilitating joint policing efforts and enhancing law enforcement collaboration throughout Southern Africa.
