Regional Centre on Small Arms - RECSA

08/10/2026

The RECSA Secretariat commends the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania for its leadership in arms control through the current national fi****ms amnesty (Sept 1 - Oct 31, 2026). This vital initiative reflects a strong commitment to regional peace and security. We join the Minister of Home Affairs in urging all illegal holders to "Salimisha Silaha Haramu" for a safer society.

29/09/2026

29/09/2026

RECSA is proud to join Ministry of Interior and National Administration in commemorating Africa Amnesty Month in Kenya. Together, we reaffirm our commitment to reducing illicit small arms and promoting voluntary surrender as a pathway to safer, more peaceful and resilient communities.

16/09/2026

The joint assessment mission on Weapons and Am******on Management (WAM) in the context of Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration and Repatriation (DDRR) is currently underway in Bangui, Central African Republic.
The mission brings together the Regional Centre on Small Arms and Light Weapons (RECSA), the Bonn International Centre for Conversion (BICC), the African Union Commission and the United Nations Department of Peace Operations, in a continuing effort to support national capacities for the safe, secure and accountable management of weapons and am******on.
Over the course of the exercise, the joint team is:
Reviewing progress made since the previous baseline assessment;
Identifying remaining institutional, operational and technical gaps; and
Engaging key national and international stakeholders on practical measures to strengthen weapons control, accountability, traceability and secure management within the DDRR process.
The mission forms part of the ongoing implementation of the RECSA Regional Action Plan on WAM in DDR contexts, reinforcing regional cooperation and supporting the development of sustainable national capacities for peace and security in the Central African Republic.
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14/09/2026

RECSA JOINS THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF AFRICA AMNESTY MONTH 2026 IN
ALGIERS
Today, 14 September 2026, RECSA is honoured to join the African Union
Commission, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and the
Government of Algeria for the official launch of the 10th commemoration of Africa
Amnesty Month in Algiers.
This year’s commemoration is being held under the theme, “Advancing the Silencing
the Guns Initiative and Strengthening Sustainable Peace Across Borders.”
The launch brings together members of the African Union Peace and Security
Council, the diplomatic corps accredited to Algeria, civil society organisations, the
media and members of the public. Participants will also have an opportunity to learn
from Algeria’s experience in controlling small arms and light weapons and
undertaking humanitarian demining action.
During the launch, RECSA Executive Secretary Mr. Jean Pierre Betindji highlighted
the important contribution of the Silencing the Guns in Africa initiative to
strengthening regional and sub-regional cooperation. The initiative has also
supported African Union Member States in improving the control and management
of arms and am******on.
Despite the progress achieved, he noted that further collective action is required to
harmonise arms-control laws and regulations, strengthen coordination against illicit
arms trafficking, enforce fi****ms legislation and improve the exchange of
information among Member States.
RECSA reaffirms its commitment to supporting African countries and working
closely with the African Union, UNODA and other partners to prevent the illicit
proliferation of small arms and light weapons and promote peaceful, secure and
resilient communities across the continent.

10/09/2026

📢 Upcoming Event |Commemoration of the Africa Amnesty Month
📍 Algiers, Algeria
🗓️ 14–15 September 2026

RECSA will join the African Union Peace and Security Council, the United Nations Department of Peace Operations and partners in Algiers to mark the Commemoration of the Africa Amnesty Month (AAM), under the theme “Advancing the Silencing the Guns Initiative and Strengthening Sustainable Peace through Shared Experiences on SALW Control and De-mining Action”.

Every September since 2017, the Africa Amnesty Month has given civilians the opportunity to voluntarily hand over illicit weapons to national authorities, with anonymity and immunity from prosecution. The need remains urgent: the AU’s 2019 Weapons Compass study found that civilian actors hold more than 40 million small arms, nearly 80 per cent of the continent’s stockpile.

This year’s edition also brings mine action into focus, recognising that landmines and explosive remnants of war continue to cost lives and hold back recovery long after conflicts end.

The commemoration will feature:
🟢 Statements from AU, UN, civil society and regional leaders, including RECSA
🟢 Shared experiences on SALW control, demining and countering illicit arms trafficking
🟢 Awareness activities and exhibitions on mine action
🟢 A symbolic destruction of illicit weapons and improvised explosive devices recovered by the Government of Algeria

RECSA encourages its Member States to commemorate the Africa Amnesty Month nationally and to keep turning continental commitments into safer communities.

Follow our page for updates from Algiers.
https://www.recsasec.org/recsa-to-participate-in-the-commemoration-of-the-africa-amnesty-month/

10/09/2026

📢 Upcoming Event | Joint Assessment Mission on Weapons and Am******on Management (WAM) in DDR Contexts
📍 Bangui, Central African Republic
🗓️ 14–19 September 2026

From 14 to 19 September, RECSA will join the Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies (bicc), the African Union Commission and the United Nations Department of Peace Operations in the Central African Republic for a Joint Assessment Mission on WAM in Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) contexts.

Weapons and am******on that are not safely managed during DDR processes can be diverted and fuel renewed armed violence. This mission is a practical step in turning the Regional Action Plan on WAM in DDR Contexts into action at country level.

Over six days, the joint team will:
🟢 Assess current WAM practices, capacities and procedures
🟢 Review progress in stockpile management, marking, recordkeeping, tracing, collection and disposal and destruction
🟢 Engage national authorities, DDR institutions, defence and security agencies, COMNAT-ALPC, civil society and international partners
🟢 Convene a national assessment workshop with about 40 participants, including representatives from Bossangoa, Berberati and Bria

The mission will produce practical recommendations, short-, medium- and long-term priorities, and targeted capacity-building needs to strengthen the safe, secure and accountable management of weapons and am******on.

Follow our page for updates from Bangui.
🔗 https://www.recsasec.org/recsa-and-partners-to-conduct-joint-assessment-mission-on-wam-in-the-central-african-republic/

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RECSA and Partners to Conduct Joint Assessment Mission on Weapons and Am******on Management in the Central African Republic

16/06/2026

📍 Beijing, China 🇨🇳

RECSA is proud to participate in the Training of Trainers (ToT) Capacity-Building Programme on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) for the African Great Lakes Region.

The programme has brought together 21 participants from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda to strengthen regional expertise in weapons and am******on management.

In partnership with UNODA, the United Nations Office of the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, and the African Union Commission's Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department, this initiative supports regional cooperation and the African Union’s agenda.

Funded by the United Nations Peace and Development Fund (UNPDF), the programme seeks to reduce the human cost of weapons in Africa through policy support, capacity-building, security cooperation, and technical assistance in weapons and am******on management within DDR contexts.

Together, we are building stronger capacities for a safer and more peaceful Africa.

03/06/2026

At , RECSA Executive Secretary Jean-Pierre Betindji highlighted important progress made by RECSA Member States in addressing the illicit trade and misuse of small arms and light weapons.
✅ Launch of the RECSA Regional Scorecard to measure implementation of the Nairobi Protocol and strengthen accountability.
✅ Adoption of a Regional Roadmap to guide coordinated and results-oriented action.
✅ Ongoing review of the Nairobi Protocol to ensure it remains responsive to emerging threats.
These milestones reflect the continued commitment of Member States to strengthen legislation, improve fi****ms marking and record-keeping, enhance stockpile management, and promote cross-border cooperation.
However, evolving security challenges require sustained support and partnership. RECSA calls on States and partners to invest in capacity-building for marking, tracing, record-keeping, stockpile management, and the destruction of surplus fi****ms.
As emphasized by Mr. Betindji:
"Such cooperation remains essential if we are to collectively prevent diversion, combat illicit trafficking and sustain peace and security in our region and beyond."
Together, we can build safer and more secure communities across the region.