Rwanda National Police

The 17th Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Meeting of the Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA) opened in Kigali on Monday, May 25, bringing together regional security leaders and policymakers to strengthen cooperation against the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons across the Great Lakes Region, the Horn of Africa, and bordering states.

The five-day meeting, taking place at the Rwanda National Police (RNP) General Headquarters in Kacyiru, has convened Chiefs of Police, Permanent and Principal Secretaries responsible for internal security, as well as National Focal Point Coordinators on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) from RECSA member states.

The meeting will be conducted in two sessions: the National Focal Point Coordinators on Small Arms and Light Weapons, focusing on technical and policy matters, and the TAC session, bringing together Chiefs of Police and senior security officials to review policy recommendations and provide strategic guidance for RECSA.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) CG Felix Namuhoranye, who chairs the RESCA Technical Advisory Committee, while opening the meeting, lauded RECSA for its continued efforts in coordinating regional responses to illicit arms trafficking.

The meeting, he said, has come at a critical time as the region faces evolving security threats fueled by emerging technologies that are increasingly exploited by criminal networks.

“The spread and misuse of small arms and light weapons continue to undermine development, weaken governance structures, and threaten the safety of our communities,” CG Namuhoranye said.

He emphasized the importance of reviewing regional legal and policy frameworks, particularly the Nairobi Protocol, to address emerging threats such as cyber-enabled arms trafficking, craft weapon production, 3D-printed firearms, and the misuse of unmanned systems.

He further called for enhanced regional collaboration through intelligence sharing, joint operations, harmonized legislation, strengthened border management, and improved institutional capacity.

“No single country can effectively tackle illicit arms trafficking in isolation.”

The RNP Police Chief reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to regional peace and security initiatives, stressing that sustainable security can only be achieved through “strong partnerships, accountable institutions and active engagement with communities.”

RECSA Executive Secretary, Mr. Jean Pierre Betindji highlighted the importance of the forum as member states prepare for a new five-year strategic cycle.

“As we conclude the implementation of the current Strategic Plan and prepare for the next five-year cycle, this forum provides a vital platform for us to review progress, confront challenges candidly, and shape practical recommendations that will strengthen our regional response,” Betindji said.

He pointed to key achievements over the past year, including the adoption of the reviewed agreement establishing RECSA and ongoing revisions to the Nairobi Protocol.

The meeting is expected to examine several strategic documents and reports, including progress on previous council resolutions, audited financial accounts, amendments to the Nairobi Protocol, and the draft Fourth RECSA Strategic Plan for 2026–2031.

RECSA currently comprises 15 member states: Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Central African Republic, Burundi, the Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan.

Rwanda currently serves as Chair of the RECSA policy organs, including Council of Ministers, and the Technical Advisory Committee.