What measures have states in the Great Lakes region and the Horn of Africa agreed to take to counter small arms and light weapons proliferation? In this protocol, States Parties agree to control and regulate the transfer, possession, storage, disposal and destruction of small arms and light weapons. They also agree to adopt legislative measures, facilitate information exchange and improve operational capacity to counter the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
States in the Great Lakes region and Horn of Africa are deeply concerned at the flow of small arms and light weapons into the region. They are aware of the need for effective control of arms transfers to prevent the problem of illicit small arms and light weapons. They recognise the need to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit manufacture, excessive accumulation, trafficking, possession and use of small arms and light weapons. They recognise also that internal strife, poverty and inadequate capacity of some states to control their borders have contributed to the problem. In light of this, States Parties agree to the articles contained in this protocol.
The objectives of this protocol are:
- to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit manufacture, trafficking, possession, use and excessive and destabilising accumulation of small arms and light weapons in the sub-region;
- to promote information-sharing and cooperation between governments in the sub-region in matters relating to the illicit trafficking and proliferation of small arms and light weapons;
- to promote cooperation at the sub-regional level to combat effectively the small arms and light weapons problem, in collaboration with relevant partners; and,
- to encourage accountability, law enforcement and efficient control and management of small arms and light weapons held by states parties and civilians.
To achieve these objectives, States Parties shall:
- adopt legislation to establish illicit trafficking, manufacture, possession and misuse of small arms and light weapons as criminal offences under national law. They shall adopt legislative measures to sanction violations of international arms embargoes;
- incorporate into national laws the prohibition of civilian possession and use of light weapons and the regulation and registration of civilian-owned small arms. Provisions for effective control of manufacture and storage shall also be included;
- strengthen sub-regional cooperation among law enforcement agencies, enhance law enforcement capacity, and establish and improve national databases. They shall acquire equipment to monitor and control cross-border movement of weapons;
- establish and maintain complete national inventories of small arms and light weapons held by security forces. They undertake to ensure that each small arm or light weapon manufactured, imported or in state possession is marked;
- adopt effective programmes for the collection, safe-storage, destruction and disposal of surplus or obsolete small arms and light weapons. They shall identify such stocks and ensure that they are prevented from entering illicit markets; and,
- establish and maintain effective systems of export and import authorisation, as well as measures on international transit, for small arms and light weapons transfers. They shall establish national systems for regulating dealers and brokers.
