Delegates from 54 African nations and 15 observer countries are preparing to assemble in Abuja next week for the 31st meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Africa (HONLAF).
This gathering aims to tackle new challenges and foster partnerships in the ongoing battle against the global drug menace.
Among the paramount concerns topping their agenda are discussions and collaborative efforts regarding alternative solutions to cannabis cultivation, asset forfeiture, cryptocurrency, and money laundering perpetrated by drug cartels, among other pressing issues.
The revelation came during a joint press briefing held on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, by Mr. Shadrach Haruna, Secretary of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and Oliver Stolpe, the Country Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in Abuja.
Mr. Haruna, representing the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), explained that the 31st HONLAF meeting, a subsidiary body of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (UNCND), serves as a platform for heads of drug law enforcement agencies in Africa to strategize and take collective action against drug trafficking and abuse in the region.
Scheduled to unfold from Tuesday, September 26, to Friday, September 29, 2023, in Abuja, the annual HONLAF meeting comprises a diverse range of activities, including technical meetings, paper presentations, discussions on reports and trends, workshops, and bilateral negotiations among member nations.
It serves as a crucial forum for forging alliances in areas such as shared intelligence, joint training, and collaborative operations against international drug cartels operating within the African region.
This year, Nigeria holds the distinction of chairing and hosting the event, and it will draw delegates from 53 other African countries to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. In addition to African delegates, representatives from observer bodies and non-African nations will be in attendance to witness the proceedings.
The opening ceremony of the conference will feature President Bola Ahmed Tinubu delivering the keynote address and officially declaring the conference open as the special guest of honor.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, along with other invited ministers and heads of relevant parastatals and agencies, will also be present at the opening ceremony.
The conference, taking place between Tuesday, September 26, and Friday, September 29, will provide a platform for bilateral meetings and discussions on the sidelines of the main agenda.
The hosting of the 31st HONLAF meeting in Nigeria signifies the trust placed in the leadership qualities of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) by its peers on the continent.
At the previous HONLAF meeting in Nairobi, Nigeria actively forged bilateral cooperation with several countries to strengthen regional defenses against transnational illicit drug organizations seeking to establish a foothold in African countries.
These collaborative efforts have played a crucial role in NDLEA’s interdiction operations over the past year.
