National Action Plan on Small Arms and Light weapons launched
A National action plan on the fight against Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) was officially launched yesterday.
The event brought together officials from Rwanda National Police, Ministry of Internal Security as well as those from Regional Centre for Small Arms (RECSA).
The Action Plan SALW action plan was approved by the cabinet meeting held on May, 6 2009.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) Stanley Nsabimana noted that spread and use of illegal fire arms is generally a world challenge.
"There has been an enormous decrease in SALW in Rwanda largely due to the commitment of the country to address the problem", Nsabimana said.
The DGIP also said that Rwanda's Internal Security Minister Sheikh Musa Fazil Harelimana was entrusted to lead RECSA for two years following the Rwanda's commitment in combating illegal SALW. He called for concerted efforts from stake holders and citizens in fighting the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
RECSA's deputy executive secretary, Ambassador Tharcisse Midonzi pointed out that the national action plan will help to boost the ongoing SALW disbarment efforts in the country following the enactment of a new small arms and light weapons legislation in 2010.
"We have no doubt that once resolutions from this meeting are implemented effectively there will be a reduction in the number of illegal fire arms circulating in the region", Midonzi said.
Patrick Karara Misingo said that the five years National Action on small arms shall include key strategies that will emphasize cross boarder cooperation, mass sensitization as well as standardizing laws that regulates the management and use of fire arms
Karara indicated that Rwanda has so far destroyed over 32,000 SALW and more than 100,000 tons of explosives.
