Insights4Peace Webinar: Regional Cooperation in Responding to Transnational Organized Crime

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Insights4Peace Webinar: Regional Cooperation in Responding to Transnational Organized Crime

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11:00 am October 2026

Add to Calendar 2026-10-30 11:00:00 2026-10-19 17:27:59 Insights4Peace Webinar: Regional Cooperation in Responding to Transnational Organized Crime Description Location Policy Center Policy Center Africa/Casablanca public

Transnational organized crime has become a major driver of conflict and instability across Africa, exploiting porous borders, weak governance, and protracted crises. In regions such as the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, the Great Lakes, and the Gulf of Guinea, criminal networks involved in illicit trafficking and financial flows increasingly intersect with armed groups and violent extremists, undermining state authority, peace processes, and regional security.

Against this backdrop, the Policy Center for the New South (PCNS) is organizing a webinar on October 30, 2026, within the framework of the African Union Network of Think Tanks for Peace (AU NeTT4Peace) Knowledge Series, under the theme “Regional Cooperation in Responding to Transnational Organized Crime.”

Recognizing that these threats extend beyond national borders, the webinar will explore the links between transnational organized crime, conflict, and insecurity across Africa, with a particular focus on the importance of regional and cross-border cooperation. Bringing together experts and practitioners, the discussion will assess existing regional and continental frameworks, identify gaps in current responses, and examine how intelligence sharing, joint operations, harmonized legal frameworks, and early warning mechanisms can be strengthened to support more coordinated and effective responses.

Speakers

Meryam Amarir

 Meryam Amarir is a Junior Analyst at the Policy Center for the New South (PCNS). At the PCNS, Meryam Amarir’s work focuses on the monitoring and analysis of Nile Valley and Middle Eastern political dynamics (Egypt, Sudan, and the Arabian Gulf), as well as cultural heritage protection during conflicts.Before joining the PCNS in 2025, Meryam Amarir gained experience in cultural heritage protection, particularly in relation to UNESCO conventions, through her academic research and an internship at a Provincial Directorate of Culture. Meryam Amarir holds master's degree in public law and political science from Mohammed V University in Rabat, and a bachelor's degree in public law from Chouaib Doukkali University. Meryam Amarir is fluent in Amazigh, Arabic, ...

Abdelhak Bassou

Senior Fellow

Abdelhak Bassou is a Senior Fellow at the Policy Center for the New South and a non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center. He is also an Affiliate Professor at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University. Bassou has had an extensive career in Moroccan National Security, where he served in various capacities including as head of the border division from 1978 to 1993. He was the former director of the Royal Institute of Police in 1998 and served as Head of Regional Security (Errachidia 1999-2003, Sidi Kacem 2003-2005) and as Central Director of General Intelligence from 2006 to 2009.   He holds a master's degree in political science and international studies from the Faculty of Law, Economics, and Social Sciences in Rabat. His academic research delves into ...