Kenya is hosting member states of the Regional Centre on Small Arms and Light Weapons in the Great Lakes Region (RECSA) for the 16th Technical Advisory CommitteeThe meeting brought together representatives from member states and technical experts to assess progress and chart new strategies in controlling the proliferation of small arms and light weapons across the region.
Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen officially opened the meeting in Nairobi marking 20 years since its establishment in the region in 2005.
The CS noted that cooperation between countries in addressing the complex and evolving threats posed by the proliferation of small arms and light weapons is key in ensuring sustainable peace and security in the region.
In 20 years the Technical Advisory Committee of RECSA has been pivotal in curbing small arms proliferation, promoting peace and security in the Great Lakes and the Horn of Africa regions.”As the host of RECSA, Kenya has led regional efforts to combat illicit small arms, strengthening global cooperation, advancing international frameworks and supporting capacity-building” Murkomen stated
The CS called on all stakeholders to renew their commitment to RECSA reform it to make it better suited to confront emerging threats effectively.
Speaking at the same meeting, Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration Raymond Omollo, who chairs the committee, emphasized the significance of the meeting in strengthening collective regional action against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.”
This week’s discussions come at a critical time, as RECSA celebrates two decades since its establishment following the 2005 Nairobi Protocol. We must now re-evaluate and refine the instruments that guide RECSA’s operations, given the evolving nature of security threats across our region,” the PS said.
Omollo highlighted the importance of RESCA to those changes, as well as the challenges that continue to face in account of small arms and light weapons.
Looking at the sustainability of the funding mechanism for RESCA, Omollo noted that there is gaps in funding because of competing demands.”We are calling upon our member states to look at how to sustainably fund the operations of our . We are also joined by a number of our partners who we’ve worked with over the years. And that also forms part of our conversations around the funding for RECSA” he said
The meeting has brought together technical experts from 11 of RECSA’s 15 member states, who have been reviewing key challenges in arms control, sustainability of funding for RECSA, and the need for stronger regional cooperation in tracing and marking weapons.