The UN Office of the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, in collaboration with other UN entities, is supporting a regional initiative to combat the proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) in the Great Lakes region. The project, funded by the UN Peace and Development Trust Fund, aims to strengthen national and regional capacities to manage SALW and reduce the human cost of conflicts in the Great Lakes region, targeting specifically Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda - the five member countries of the Contact and Coordination Group (CCG) under the Peace, Security and Cooperation framework for the DRC and the region.
“The proliferation and illicit circulation of arms and ammunition reinforce the operational capacities of armed groups and undermine stabilization efforts,” said the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region. “Addressing these flows means tackling the mechanisms that fuel and perpetuate the action of these groups, whose activism fosters a climate of mistrust in the region.”
The project action plan was developed through a participatory process with the CCG countries, involving national authorities, regional mechanisms, and technical partners. Key entities supporting the implementation of the project include the Peacebuilding and Peace Support Office (PBPSO), the Office for Disarmament Affairs (ODA), and the Regional Centre for Small Arms (RECSA).
The project focuses on five key areas: normative and legal frameworks, cross-border and regional cooperation, capacity strengthening, technical assistance, and equipment provision. It will support the development of national action plans, regional standard operating procedures, and training programs for national authorities.
“The region has valuable expertise that needs to be leveraged and networked,” said the Special Envoy, highlighting the importance of sharing experiences and mutual learning. “We will continue to support regional coordination and mobilize the necessary political support to ensure the success of this collective effort.”
The project is expected to contribute to a significant reduction in SALW proliferation and its human cost in the Great Lakes region.
