Strengthening security and stability in the Indian Ocean region

On Wednesday, December 14, 2023, an INTERPOL delegation led by Mr. Felipe RAMOS, East Africa representative for the Compass project, visited the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Center (RMIFC) in Madagascar. Accompanied by Commissaire Divisionnaire RABIALAHY JEAN Rostand and two other members of INTERPOL’s National Central Bureau (NCB) in Madagascar, the visit was part of INTERPOL and the RMIFC’s shared commitment to enhancing security and stability in the Indian Ocean region, by promoting a co-ordinated and integrated approach to combating maritime crime.

The visit also aimed to strengthen collaboration between the two organizations, and to discuss training and information exchange opportunities. The visit also focused on challenges and best practices in the fight against maritime crime, such as piracy, illegal fishing, drugs, arms and human trafficking.

Opportunities for developing synergies between INTERPOL and RMIFC tools and databases, notably the INTERPOL Maritime Information System (IMAS) and the Regional Maritime Information System (MARSIC), were also explored.

The Compass project is an INTERPOL initiative aimed at improving the investigation of maritime crime in the Eastern and Southern Africa – Indian Ocean (ESA-IO) region. The project also aims to strengthen the capacities of beneficiary countries in terms of crime scene preservation and management, as well as inter-institutional, regional and international cooperation.

Based in Madagascar, the RMIFC’s mission is to promote maritime safety in the Western Indian Ocean region. It collects, analyzes and disseminates information on suspicious or illicit maritime activities.