Namibia’s Anne-Marie Nainda Eyeing Interpol Presidency, Set to Take Place in Morocco This Month
By TUW
Namibia’s Anne-Marie Nainda eyeing interpol presidency, set to take place in Morocco this month as Interpol prepares to elect its next President during the organisation’s 93rd General Assembly, taking place from 24 to 27 November 2025.
The Namibian Major-General enters the international race with growing momentum, backed by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and her own government, which believe she carries the values and experience needed to lead the world’s largest policing body.
Nainda currently serves as the Deputy Inspector-General for Administration in the Namibian Police Force, a position that places her at the heart of strategic planning, human resource administration and high-level policing reforms. Her policing journey spans more than twenty years and includes both national and international roles. She previously worked within Interpol structures as a Regional Specialised Officer for violent crimes, fugitives and training in Harare, and as an Interpol Desk Officer in Windhoek, where she handled major crime portfolios ranging from drug enforcement and vehicle crime to fraud, firearms and stock theft.
Her leadership experience later earned her a seat on Interpol’s Executive Committee as Africa’s representative, giving her direct exposure to the organisation’s global decision-making processes.
Her educational background includes a master’s degree in international relations and diplomacy, a law degree, and specialised training in public sector management and police science, qualifications that supporters say position her as an informed and capable candidate for global policing leadership.
The race, however, is competitive. Nainda is contesting against senior policing officials from France, Ethiopia and Türkiye, all of whom have strong international networks and extensive operational experience. Observers say this year’s election is among the most tightly contested in recent Interpol history. France’s candidate is believed to have strong European support, while Türkiye and Ethiopia are also actively campaigning for wider backing across member countries.
For SADC and Namibia, Nainda’s presence in Morocco symbolises a regional push to strengthen Africa’s voice in global security matters. Leaders within the region have highlighted her record of professionalism, integrity and her understanding of modern transnational crime as key strengths at a time when policing agencies are confronted with cybercrime, terrorism, human trafficking and increasingly sophisticated criminal networks.
If elected, Nainda would become only the second woman to hold the presidency of Interpol, a development that would mark a significant step for gender representation within global law enforcement institutions. Her candidacy also signals Namibia’s growing engagement on the international stage, as the country seeks to contribute to global policing solutions through strong leadership and regional cooperation.
As the General Assembly proceeds in Marrakech, diplomatic efforts continue behind the scenes, with Namibia and SADC working to widen support for Nainda’s campaign. The coming days will determine whether the Namibian Major-General can secure enough votes to lead Interpol into its next chapter.
