Regional Cooperation Key to Controlling Small Arms Proliferation in Africa: Executive Secretary of RECSA

Addis Ababa, February 21, 2025 (ENA)—The Regional Centre on Small Arms and Light Weapons (RECSA) stressed the need for intensifying efforts and collaboration to combat the proliferation of small arms and light weapons across Africa.

Approached by POA, Executive Secretary of RECSA, Jean Pierre Betindji highlighted the Centre’s initiatives to address the growing security threat posed by these weapons, with the support of 15 member states.

Founded as an intergovernmental organization, RECSA’s mandate focuses on preventing and reducing the spread of small arms and light weapons in the region.

The Executive Secretary stated that as conflicts continue to ravage various African countries, the misuse of these weapons exacerbates violence and instability, fueling both civil unrest and organized crime.

Through a clear strategy and action plan, RECSA coordinates the implementation of the Nairobi Protocol, an international agreement aimed at curbing the illicit manufacturing, trafficking, possession, and use of  the proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa regions.

The Nairobi Protocol, established in 2004, plays a pivotal role in promoting regional cooperation, law enforcement, and accountability concerning arms control.

Every year, RECSA organizes campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of small arms, encouraging the voluntary surrender of weapons and offering solutions for their safe disposal.

Betindji emphasized the significance of partnerships, especially with the African Union, in the ongoing effort to address the negative consequences of SALW on regional security.

According to him, the regional organization has already seen success in this area, with three countries—Rwanda, Djibouti, and the Central African Republic benefiting from the implementation of projects under the "Silencing the Guns" initiative.

He also revealed RECSA’s plans to continue its awareness campaigns this year while also focusing on strengthening the capacity of member states in areas such as security and stockpile management.

This includes improving the management of weapons and ammunition to prevent diversion and misuse, the executive secretary indicated.

Effective stockpile management is crucial, as improperly stored weapons can be a source of conflict and instability, Betindji added.

For him, reducing violence and conflicts should be a top priority in Africa, instrumental to achieve sustainable development across the continent.

“If we increase our efforts to reduce violence and conflict, countries can stabilize, and economic growth can flourish,” he said.

The Regional Centre on Small Arms and Light Weapons (RECSA) is an intergovernmental organization that collaborates with 15 member states across North Africa and neighboring countries to reduce the spread of small arms and light weapons.