NAIROBI, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Kenya on Friday called for urgent and concerted efforts to address the growing threat of small arms proliferation in the Great Lakes region and Horn of Africa.

Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary, Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs and Acting Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Interior and National Administration Musalia Mudavadi said the unregulated flow of illicit small arms continues to undermine the peace, security, and development of many states.

"We must prioritize regional cooperation and empower the Regional Center on Small Arms (RECSA) Secretariat in its critical coordinating role," Mudavadi said when he officially opened the 15th RECSA Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.

The high-level meeting brought together representatives from RECSA member states, police chiefs, development partners, and other stakeholders committed to fighting illicit arms proliferation. Participants highlighted the devastating impact of illicit small arms on regional security. The discussions focused on strategies to address the spread of small arms and light weapons, which are crucial for promoting long-term peace and security.

Mudavadi pointed out that small arms fuel conflicts, terrorism, and other crimes, destabilizing the region. He stressed the need for member states to recommit to the Nairobi Protocol, which aims to curb the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.

The proliferation of small arms threatens the social fabric in the East African region thanks to a surge in transnational crime, human and drug trafficking and terrorism.

Mudavadi called for stronger national control mechanisms, harmonized policies and improved stockpile management to prevent arms from falling into illicit hands.

"We need robust policies that align with the Nairobi Protocol, and stronger systems to ensure weapons stockpiles are well-managed and secured," he added, also commending the RECSA Secretariat for its leadership in regional initiatives, such as the Physical Stockpile Management training.

RECSA, established in 2005, is an inter-governmental organization within Africa with 15 member states, namely Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania. It is an internationally recognized organization that plays a crucial role in fostering regional cooperation and addressing the illicit flow of small arms, working toward a peaceful and secure environment in the region. Enditem

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