By Eddah Waithaka
Government officials and security experts from across the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa gathered in Nairobi this week as the Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA) celebrated two decades of combating illegal arms proliferation.
Kenya’s Interior Principal Secretary, Dr. Raymond Omollo, opened the RECSA@20 conference with a call for urgent action, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges in curbing the illicit arms trade.
For 20 years, RECSA has led regional efforts to stop the flow of illegal weapons in a region struggling with instability. But despite progress, Dr. Omollo warned that the threat remains severe, fueled by porous borders, weak enforcement, and poor coordination among nations.
“The security situation remains complex,” he said. “No country in this region is safe as long as instability grips its neighbors.”
He linked the spread of illegal arms to rising terrorism, organized crime, and economic disruptions, calling it a “regional emergency.”
Dr. Omollo urged RECSA member states to take immediate, unified action by boosting intelligence-sharing, updating national laws, and increasing funding for counter-trafficking operations to strengthen regional security.
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He also pushed for reforms to RECSA’s legal and financial frameworks, arguing that current security threats demand a stronger response.
“We need innovative partnerships and consistent commitments from all member states,” he said.
This week, as discussions continue, officials and experts will shape RECSA’s strategy for the next decade, focusing on tighter cross-border cooperation, stronger local law enforcement, and long-term solutions to arms trafficking, with Dr. Omollo emphasizing that “Regional security is a shared responsibility.”
“Kenya is committed to making collective safety a top priority—but we must act together.”
RECSA’s work remains vital in stabilizing the region, reducing armed violence, and ensuring peace for millions. The conference aims to solidify a safer, more secure future for Africa.
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