Memorandum of understanding with the Organization of African Unity

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The International Criminal Police Organization-Interpol (hereinafter referred to as Interpol) and The Organisation of African Unity (hereinafter referred to as OAU),

Wishing to co-ordinate their efforts within the framework of the missions assigned to them,

Recognizing that Interpol is responsible for ensuring and promoting the widest possible mutual assistance between all the criminal police authorities within the limits of the laws existing in the different countries and in the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

Recognizing that one of the purposes of the OAU is to promote international co-operation, having due regard to the Charter of the United Nations, the African Charter on Human and People's Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

Recognizing the desirability of co-operation between Interpol and the OAU within the fields of their respective competence, in combating criminal activities in the African region, including, among other things, illicit drug trafficking and money laundering,

Have agreed as follows:

Mutual consultation

1. Interpol and the OAU shall consult regularly on policy issues and matters of common interest for the purpose of realizing their objectives and co-ordinating their respective activities.
   
   
2. Interpol and the OAU shall exchange information on developments in any of their fields and projects that are of mutual interest and shall reciprocally take observations concerning such activities into consideration with a view to promoting effective co-operation.
   
   
3. When appropriate, consultation shall be arranged at the required level between representatives of the OAU and Interpol to agree upon the most effective way in which to organize particular activities and to optimize the use of their resources in compliance with their respective mandates.
   
   

Exchange of information

1. Interpol and the OAU shall combine their efforts to achieve the best use of all available information relevant to the fight against illicit drug trafficking, money laundering and associated crime.
   
   
2. Subject to such arrangements as may be necessary for the safeguarding of confidential information, Interpol and the OAU shall ensure full and prompt exchange of information and documents concerning matters of common interest.
   
   
3. Communication of police information by Interpol to the OAU shall be subject to Interpol's internal regulations. If an item of information communicated by Interpol to the OAU is modified or deleted, Interpol shall inform the OAU so that the latter may keep its own archives up-to-date. Interpol shall not be liable in the event that the use by the OAU of an item of information is prejudicial to an individual's or entity's interests, if Interpol has informed the OAU that that item of information has been modified or deleted. Police information communicated by Interpol to the OAU shall be used by the OAU exclusively for the purposes of prevention or suppression of transnational ordinary law crime, with due respect for national laws and international treaties.
   
   
4. Communication of information by the OAU to Interpol shall be subject to the provisions of OAU's internal regulations.
   
   

Reciprocal representation

1. Arrangements shall be made for reciprocal representation at Interpol and the OAU meetings convened under their respective auspices and which consider matters in which the other party has an interest or technical competence.
   
   
2. The Secretary General of the OAU and the Secretary General of Interpol shall each designate a person to act as a focal point with a view to ensuring the implementation of the provisions of the present Memorandum of understanding.
   
   

Technical co-operation

1. Interpol and the OAU shall, in the interest of their respective activities, seek each other's expertise to optimize the effects of such activities.
   
   
2. The OAU shall review, at Interpol's request, projects at national, regional and global levels in order to provide comments and suggestions appropriate to its domain of expertise.
   
   
3. By mutual agreement, the OAU shall associate itself in the development and execution of programmes, projects and activities relating particularly to crimes and offences concerning illicit drug trafficking and money laundering.
   
   
4. Joint activities to be conducted under the present Memorandum of understanding shall be subject to the approval of individual project documents by both parties and shall be monitored under an agreed mechanism.
   
   
5. Interpol and the OAU shall co-operate in evaluating such programmes, projects and activities of common interest, subject to mutual agreement on a case-by-case basis.
   

Personnel arrangements

Subject to their relevant internal regulations, the OAU and Interpol shall examine the possibility of organizing the exchange of personnel on a temporary basis. They will enter into special arrangements, if necessary, for that purpose.

Entry into force, modification and duration

1. The present Memorandum of understanding shall enter into force on the date on which it is signed by the Secretary General of Interpol and the Secretary General of the OAU or their duly authorized representatives.
   
   
2. The present Memorandum of understanding may be modified by mutual consent expressed in writing. It may also be revoked by either party by giving six months' notice to the other party.
   
   

In witness whereof, the Secretary General of the International Criminal Police Organization-Interpol and the Secretary General of the Organisation of African Unity have signed the present Memorandum of understanding in duplicate, in English and French, both texts being equally authentic, on the dates appearing under their respective signatures.