IGAD Ramps Up Fight Against Illegal Weapons

GOOBJOOG NEWS | DJIBOUTI: The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has launched a coordinated push to combat the proliferation of small arms in the Horn of Africa, following a high-level regional meeting in Djibouti.

Chaired by IGAD Deputy Executive Secretary Mohamed Abdi Ware, the meeting brought together officials from Kenya, Djibouti, and the Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA) to map out stronger joint efforts against cross-border weapons trafficking.

“The uncontrolled spread of small arms fuels conflicts and undermines development across our region,” Ware said. “This meeting has established concrete steps toward more effective regional collaboration.”

Participants agreed to bolster joint border surveillance, expand intelligence-sharing, and strengthen coordination among security agencies. The initiative also includes public education campaigns to curb demand and greater alignment with the African Union’s Silencing the Guns agenda.

The action plan aims to disrupt trafficking networks while addressing the root causes of arms circulation, including weak border controls and local insecurity. IGAD will implement the measures through its regional conflict prevention architecture, with support from member states and international partners.

The agreement marks a significant step toward reducing the availability of illicit arms, a key driver of violence and instability in the region.