In a statement released on Monday, January 27, 2025, INTERPOL said the suspects, including alleged members of the Islamic State (ISIS), were apprehended in November and December 2024.
The joint operation targeted individuals linked to terrorist activities in the region.
Key arrests included 17 individuals in Kenya, among them two suspected ISIS operatives. Authorities also apprehended a suspected member of ISIS Mozambique in Tanzania.
Further arrests were made in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia, where terrorist networks remain active and pose significant threats to regional stability.
Prior to the operation, each participating country prepared an operational plan, gathering intelligence on terror-related targets, including individuals and their known locations.
INTERPOL and AFRIPOL consolidated and analysed this information and shared it with all participating countries, facilitating a significant exchange of criminal intelligence.
During the tactical phase of the operation each country carried out strategic investigations and raids. Police received on-the-ground support from INTERPOL and AFRIPOL officers, who provided coordination, logistics and real-time data analysis.
Cyril Gout, INTERPOL's Director of Operational Support and Analysis, emphasized the importance of cross-border collaboration in tackling terrorism.
'East Africa's complex landscape, marked by political instability, porous borders, and socioeconomic challenges, continues to provide an environment conducive to terrorist activity,' he said.
'These positive results demonstrate the power of international collaboration in the fight against terrorism.'
The region has seen growing concerns over ISIS-linked activities, exacerbated by recent incidents abroad.
On New Year's Day, a U.S. Army veteran flying an ISIS flag drove into a crowd in New Orleans, killing 15 people. This tragic event has intensified global vigilance and reinforced the urgency of counterterrorism efforts in vulnerable regions like East Africa.
INTERPOL, headquartered in France, continues to work closely with AFRIPOL and national authorities to strengthen security frameworks, disrupt terrorist networks, and ensure justice is served.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
