Illicit Possession of Arms: Government Focuses On Strict Regulation

Within the framework of promoting peace through a reduction in the circulation of unauthorized weapons in the hands of civilians, government has committed itself to a strict regulation on arms ownership. This was during the official launching of the Amnesty Month in Cameroon dubbed SEPTAMM2020 by External Relations Minister, Mbella Mbella, on October 19, 2020 in the presence of other government officials and members of the diplomatic corps.

Commemorated under the theme “Silencing the guns; a pledge to our future generations on the continent,” Minister Mbella Mbella said activities will be organised in Cameroon from now till December to educate the public on the dangers of the illicit proliferation and circulation of small arms and light weapons. “It is estimated that there are more than 100 million arms in circulation in Africa with more than 40 million owned by civilians. Statistics also indicate that only a few of these civilians have a permit. Weapons that escape control as well as their illicit purchase and transfer pose a recurrent security problem in the continent,” he noted, adding the ‘silencing the gun’ project is a great opportunity to work in a coherent and sustainable way towards the reduction of the illicit possession of arms.

In Cameroon, Minister Mbella Mbella said some of the activities which would be carried include amongst others, general sensitisation especially traditional rulers on the 2016 law which consists the general code on arms. The Minister of External Relations cited measures taken by government to reduce illicit arms circulation including the creation of the National Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (NDDR) by the President of the Republic.