Rwanda takes over from Kenya as chair of regional illicit arms control body

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen hands over the instruments of power to his Rwandan counterpart Vincent Biruta. (X/Kipchumba Murkomen)

By Mary Wambui
Saturday, June 14, 2025

Rwanda took over the leadership from Kenya on Friday during the 11th Council of Ministers meeting held in Nairobi. The meeting concluded with renewed commitments from Member States to tackle the challenges posed by the spread of small arms and light weapons in the region.

Rwanda has officially assumed the Chairmanship of the Regional Centre on Small Arms and Light Weapons (RECSA), a regional body that works to curb the proliferation of illicit arms through collaboration with Member States.

The Republic of Tanzania will serve as Rwanda’s deputy during its tenure.

More To Read

RECSA is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the Nairobi Protocol on the Prevention, Control and Reduction of Small Arms and Light Weapons in the Great Lakes Region, the Horn of Africa and Bordering States.

Rwanda took over the leadership from Kenya on Friday during the 11th Council of Ministers meeting held in Nairobi. The meeting concluded with renewed commitments from Member States to tackle the challenges posed by the spread of small arms and light weapons in the region and to strengthen cooperation among Member States and partners in promoting peace and security initiatives.

The proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa continues to pose a serious threat to the peace and stability of the regions and have a devastating impact on communities. There's therefore a need to deepen cooperation between the… pic.twitter.com/ZPYgJ94IKp
— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) June 13, 2025

The meeting brought together Ministers and Plenipotentiaries from the Governments of: Burundi, Central African Republic, Djibouti, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, as well as regional and international partners.

A communiqué released after the meeting stated that Member States reaffirmed their commitment to the effective implementation of all provisions of the Nairobi Protocol, and to harmonised binding instruments that support efforts to combat the spread of arms and ammunition in the Great Lakes Region, the Horn of Africa and Bordering States.

These efforts are aimed at promoting peace, enhancing security, and reducing human suffering.

The meeting also marked the 20th anniversary of RECSA’s establishment and the destruction of illicit and obsolete firearms in the region. The event culminated in the symbolic destruction of over 6,000 illicit arms in Ngong, Kajiado County. The exercise was presided over by President William Ruto, who called on Member States to reinforce joint disarmament initiatives.

President Ruto confirmed Kenya’s commitment to begin the process of ratifying the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), the Global Framework on Ammunition (GFA), and other related Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) control instruments and mechanisms.

“To achieve lasting peace, we must continue working tirelessly to remove all illegal weapons from circulation, both within Kenya and across the region,” he said.

Speaking during the handover of the RECSA flag and instruments to Rwanda, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen urged Member States to consider signing the revised agreement establishing RECSA.

He emphasised that this would facilitate the review of other policy documents, ensuring they reflect the evolving dynamics in the fight against the illicit proliferation of small arms, light weapons, and ammunition in the region.