CS Kindiki calls for enhanced regional co-operation to cut supply of illicit arms and weapons » Capital News
NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 22-Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has called for increased mop up of illicit arms and weapons in the hands of unlicensed civilians to effectively combat security threats facing the region.
Kindiki said Monday, that illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons continue to fuel conflict, violence and instability, undermine governance and impede socio-economic development in many Countries across the region.
The Interior CS highlighted that Africa holds the potential to lead and thrive in the fifth industrial revolution, but its progress is being hampered by insecurity, fueled by the proliferation of small arms.
“I am persuaded that minus the instability that the illicit small arms and light weapons are causing in the region, Africa is the next frontier for the civilization of the world,” he said.
Kindiki was speaking during the leadership transition at the Regional Centre on Small Arms Arms and Light Weapons(RECSA), that saw Jean Pierre Betindji take over as the organization’s Executive Secretary from Lt. Gen. Badreldin Abdelgadir of Sudan.
Kindiki’s call come at a time when a number of African countries including Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Mali and Burkina Faso are struggling with conflicts and political instability.
The Interior CS noted that Africa possesses all the necessary resources including, a young population and arable land, and rich minerals to enable it take the lead on the global front.
He added that the Continent requires peace and stability now more than ever to catalyze its movement to the next frontier.
With a stable Continent, CS Kindiki said that Africa will play a decisive role in the advancements that the world is making towards the next industrial revolution.
“I am persuaded that if we stabilize our Regional and the Continent the future of the world lies in Africa,” he said.
The Interior CS who doubles up as the Chairperson of RECSA Council of Ministers emphasized the importance of fostering collaboration among RECSA Member States, International Partners, Civil Society Organisations and other stakeholders for a safer, more secure and stable Continent.
RECSA is an Inter-Governmental organization with a mandate of coordinating the implementation of the Nairobi Protocol on the Prevention, Control and Reduction of small arms and light weapons in the Great Lakes Region, the Horn of Africa and Bordering States.
There are 15 RECSA Member States in the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa signatory to the Nairobi Declaration and Nairobi Protocol namely; Burundi, Central Africa Republic, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania.
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