Regional Centre on Small Arms - RECSA

Two decades ago, the Nairobi Protocol was signed to combat the illicit trade of small arms and light weapons (SALW) in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa.

A new 20-year "Scorecard" report reveals how far we’ve come. From just a handful of coordination offices in 2005 to established National Focal Points in every member state today, the region has significantly strengthened its security frameworks.

Key Achievements:
🔹 More robust national laws governing the life-cycle of weapons.
🔹 Widespread marking of state-owned arms to prevent diversion.
🔹 Improved stockpile management and physical security.

The Road Ahead:
Despite these wins, illicit weapons still circulate, and new threats like 3D-printed fi****ms and improvised drones are emerging. The report calls for a renewed political commitment to align the Protocol with modern global standards. Ministry of Interior and National Administration Rwanda National Police

👇 Read the full report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wzRBrBXCBJIpKoXuymgJig-2SvnbuIQ2/view?usp=drive_link

Cross Smith, representing the United Kingdom High Commission in Kenya, acknowledged the progress made in strengthening regional legislation and implementation of small arms control measures. She emphasized that emerging challenges, including evolving weapons technologies and porous borders, require coordinated, transnational responses to effectively address the changing security landscape.


Rwanda National Police Ministry of Interior and National Administration United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research

CG Felix Namuhoranye, Inspector General of Police, Rwanda National Police and Chairperson of the RECSA Technical Advisory Committee, highlighted the importance of strengthened regional coordination and sustained cooperation in addressing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. He noted that while progress has been made, continued collaboration across borders remains critical in tackling the persistent challenges of conflict, crime, and insecurity in the region. Rwanda National Police Ministry of Interior and National Administration

CG Felix Namuhoranye, Inspector General of Police, Rwanda National Police and Chairperson of the RECSA Technical Advisory Committee, highlighted the importance of strengthened regional coordination and sustained cooperation in addressing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. He noted that while progress has been made, continued collaboration across borders remains critical in tackling the persistent challenges of conflict, crime, and insecurity in the region.


Rwanda National PoliceMinistry of Interior and National Administration United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research

Chief Guest Dr. Raymond Omollo, Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration, underscored the importance of strengthening implementation at the national level to translate regional commitments into tangible impact. He highlighted the need for effective border management, improved data and tracing systems, and stronger accountability mechanisms to address gaps and respond to evolving security threats.

Ministry of Interior and National Administration Dr. Raymond Omollo

The Regional Centre on Small Arms and Light Weapons (RECSA) today launched the Regional Assessment Report on the Implementation of the Nairobi Protocol, marking a major milestone in assessing progress made from 2005 to 2025.

The report highlights significant gains in strengthening national legislation, improving stockpile management and enhancing coordination across Member States. It also outlines key priorities to address emerging threats, including illicit arms flows, evolving trafficking methods and the need for stronger cross-border cooperation.

Held under the theme “Renewing Regional SALW Control Commitment,” the event reaffirmed the importance of sustained regional collaboration in advancing peace, security, and stability.

United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research
Nairobi Comms Rwanda National Police Ministry of Interior and National Administration

https://www.recsasec.org/upcoming-event-launch-of-the-regional-assessment-report-on-the-nairobi-protocol/

Upcoming Event: Launch of the Regional Assessment Report on the Nairobi Protocol – RECSA RECSA is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of the Regional Assessment Report on the Implementation of the Nairobi Protocol, taking place in Nairobi on 25 March 2026. This landmark publication provides the first comprehensive, systematic assessment of the Protocol’s implementation over its 20...

https://youtu.be/R7erq074LRI United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research

Review & Strengthening the Implementation of the Nairobi Protocol The Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA) convened key stakeholders to review and strengthen the implementation of the Nairobi Protocol, a critical framework...

RECSA is honoured to participate in the UNPDF SALW Project Launch convening in Kampala, 10–13 February 2026. This initiative aims to advance disarmament policy dialogue across Africa and strengthen the capacities of States in the Great Lakes region in weapons and ammunition management (WAM) within DDR contexts.

RECSA proudly joins Burundi, DRC, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda in this collective endeavour, and extends its profound appreciation to and all partner organizations for their exemplary collaboration and steadfast support.

🚀 Today, RECSA Executive Secretary Mr. Jean Pierre Betindji held a strategic bilateral meeting with Deputy Director Mr. Jiaming Miao to deepen cooperation on arms control in the RECSA region.

The meeting reaffirmed the strong RECSA–UNREC partnership, with discussions focusing on strategic cooperation and the ongoing revision of the Nairobi Protocol to integrate emerging trends in arms control