By: Kebba AF Touray
The United Arab Emirate (UAE) Inspector General (IG), Major General Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi, has expressed his desire for Gambia to support his country during the upcoming INTERPOL Presidential election.
The Inspector General at the Interior Ministry of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Major General Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al-Raisi, made this call on Thursday, July 22nd during a day-long working visit to relevant Gambia Government institutions.
Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al-Raisi said he was in Gambia to strengthen the existing bilateral ties between the Federal Islamic State of the United Arab Emirate and the Republic of The Gambia, and to formally inform Gambian authorities of his intention to run for INTERPOL presidency in the forthcoming election.
Major General Al Raisi and his entourage began his visit at the Ministry of Interior, where he held a closed door meeting with Interior Minister, Yankuba Sonko.
Some of the pertinent issues discussed include strengthening security cooperation between the two countries, in terms of capacity trainings on ballistics, scientific support, fingerprint, and pathologist and communication surveillance among other security-related areas
“Africa is an essential member of INTERPOL. I promised to fulfill the security needs of Africa, especially The Gambia at the INTERPOL,” Major General Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al-Raisi said.
The UAE IG also visited the Foreign Affairs Minister and the Police Headquarters in Banjul. He had deliberations with officials of both institutions on matters of mutual interest anchored on strengthening security relations between the Gambia, UAE and on his bid for the INTERPOL presidential election.
Major General Raisi was then decorated with a meritorious medal by IGP of the Gambia Police Force, Mamud Sanyang. In the same vein, General Raisi 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 to President Adama Barrow at his office in State House, where he expressed similar sentiments.
“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,” General Raisi told the press following his meeting with President Barrow.
He thanked the Government of The Gambia for their support in his bid for the upcoming INTERPOL elections, adding that he is overwhelmed with the reception accorded to his delegation.
According to the Public Relations Officer of the UAE Interior Ministry, General 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.
Major General 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.
