Researchers from eleven universities in Cameroon, Gabon, Chad, and the Democratic Republic of Congo convened in Yaoundé to establish a new regional research network focused on combating organized crime and armed violence. The initiative, launched with support from the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), aims to bolster the collective capacity of these nations to analyze, report on, and advocate against criminal activity. Central to the effort is the Central Africa Observatory on Organized Crime and Violence, a civil society-led project focused on the nexus of crime and conflict. The project will map criminal ecosystems and enhance advocacy capabilities across the region, prioritizing evidence-based policy responses. Observatory Director Professor Saïbou Issa emphasized the project's goal of bridging academic research with public action. Following the launch, the network will prioritize specialized training to further equip researchers and practitioners.