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Journal Press: Todd D. Robinson, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, will travel to South Africa and Ghana in May to attend meetings with officials and INL partners, and participate in an International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) event.
US Official Tackles Drug and Crime in Africa
Johannesburg and Pretoria, South Africa: May 4-6
Assistant Secretary Robinson will travel to Johannesburg and Pretoria, South Africa, from May 4-6, where he will meet with South African officials and attend an International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) event with approximately 80 ILEA Gaborone Alumni. The attendees will include representatives from the Republic of South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, and Botswana.
During his time in South Africa, Assistant Secretary Robinson is expected to discuss the latest developments in the fight against narcotics and transnational crime. The meeting with South African officials will provide an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between the United States and South Africa in the areas of law enforcement and drug control.
International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) Program
ILEA is a program set up by the US Department of State to assist partner countries in the training of law enforcement officials. The academy provides specialized training programs to countries around the world to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their law enforcement agencies. The ILEA Southern Africa program is located in Gaborone, Botswana, and its Alumni Association aims to build and maintain partnerships with law enforcement agencies in southern Africa.
Accra, Ghana: May 7-9
From May 7-9, Assistant Secretary Robinson will travel to Accra, Ghana, for meetings with INL partners and Ghanaian officials. The meetings will aim to boost cooperation between the United States and Ghana in combating transnational crime, money laundering, and drug trafficking.
Ghana is one of the United States’ closest partners in Africa. The country is a member of the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership, and it has worked with the United States to tackle security issues in West Africa. In February 2019, the United States announced the establishment of a permanent security cooperation office in Accra to enhance collaboration with Ghanaian security forces.
During his time in Ghana, Assistant Secretary Robinson is expected to emphasize the importance of US-Ghana security cooperation and discuss how the two countries can work together to address the threats posed by transnational organized crime.
Conclusion
The upcoming trip by Assistant Secretary Robinson will highlight the ongoing efforts by the United States to work with African countries to combat transnational crime and narcotics. The meetings in South Africa and Ghana will provide an opportunity to strengthen existing partnerships and identify new opportunities for US-Africa cooperation in the fight against organized crime and illicit drug trafficking. The ILEA event is a testament to the US commitment to train and equip law enforcement officers in partner countries to improve their capabilities and effectiveness.
