NAIROBI, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Sub-Saharan African countries are committed to halting the flow of small and light weapons due to the threat they pose to peace, stability and long-term growth, officials said Monday at a forum in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital.
The officials attending a two-day regional preparatory meeting decried the movement of these weapons across borders, fueling terrorism, armed insurgencies and wildlife crimes.
Raymond Omollo, principal secretary for the State Department of Internal Security and National Administration of Kenya, said that the proliferation and misuse of small and light weapons pose an existential threat to Africa's peace, cohesion and stability.
"Small and light weapons continue to wreak havoc in communities, fuel conflicts, undermine peace and stability, and hinder socioeconomic development in the African continent," Omollo said.
Delegates from 26 African countries are attending the meeting for the fourth review conference on the United Nations program of action to prevent, combat and eradicate the trade in small arms and light weapons. Also in attendance at the Nairobi conference, which will share best practices to promote the elimination of illicit weapons, are senior officials from the United Nations, African Union and regional blocs.
The forum will review progress in the implementation of the UN Program of Action and discuss a set of priorities in preparation for the UN Program of Action Fourth Review meeting scheduled to take place in New York from June 17 to 28.
Omollo reaffirmed Kenya's commitment to implementing global, regional and national treaties to strengthen action on illicit weapons that are fomenting strife in some parts of Africa.
He cited enhanced border controls, regional cooperation on arms control, improved surveillance and stockpile management, and capacity building for law enforcement agencies as effective strategies in curbing the flow of illegal weapons.
Bankole Adeoye, the African Union commissioner for political affairs, peace and security, said halting the cross-border movement of small and light weapons in Africa aligns with the African Union's Silencing the Guns initiative, which is a flagship project under the AU's Agenda 2063.
According to Adeoye, African leaders have committed to ending all wars and armed conflicts by 2030, while the continent has developed a common position to curb the trafficking of illicit weapons. ■