The SALW programme of the Office of the United Nations Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region aims to reduce the illicit circulation of small arms and light weapons and to strengthen weapons and ammunition management in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration processes. It is part of broader regional efforts to prevent conflict, support stabilization and enhance cross-border security cooperation.
Funded by the United Nations Peace and Development Trust Fund, the programme is coordinated by the Office of the Special Envoy in collaboration with regional and international partners, including national authorities, SALW commissions, RECSA, the ICGLR, MONUSCO, the African Union, the DDR Branch and the Office for Disarmament Affairs. It mainly targets Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.
The programme is built around five main priorities: strengthening legal and normative frameworks, improving regional and cross-border cooperation, developing national and regional capacities, providing technical assistance, and supporting the targeted provision of equipment. Planned activities include regional studies, national Weapons and Ammunition Management assessments, the development of national action plans, training of trainers, technical workshops, community awareness campaigns and support to DDR reception centres.
The added value of the programme lies in its integrated approach. It treats SALW not only as a technical issue, but also as a regional security, stabilization and governance challenge linked to armed groups, border insecurity, DDR processes and community protection.