UNIDIR and the Regional Centre on Small Arms and Light Weapons (RECSA) have launched the first-ever comprehensive regional assessment of the implementation of the Nairobi Protocol on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW). The new report, The Nairobi Protocol on Small Arms and Light Weapons at 20, was unveiled on 25 March in Nairobi, Kenya. It brought together the diplomatic community and key stakeholders to reflect on two decades of progress and chart the path for strengthening the protocol’s impact on reducing human suffering.
Describing the report as both “timely and necessary,” Dr Raymond Omollo, Principal Secretary at Kenya’s Ministry Interior and National Administration, emphasized its clear analysis of achievements and remaining gaps. “It provides a clear-eyed view of where we stand and what needs to be done,” he noted during the launch.
Presenting the key findings, Dr Paul Holtom, Head of UNIDIR’s Conventional Arms and Ammunition Programme, called the study a “milestone for combating the scourge of illicit small arms and light weapons and their misuse in eastern Africa.” He contrasted the region’s nascent national SALW control systems in 2005 with significant progress made by States by 2025.
In his remarks, Douglas Kanja, Inspector General of the Kenya National Police Service and President of the AFRIPOL General Assembly, highlighted the measurable gains in legislative and regulatory frameworks, stockpile management, marking, recordkeeping systems, and inter-agency coordination mechanisms.
Progress by the numbers
In 2005, no State in the region marked their weapons. By 2025, five States could confidently report that they had marked all State-owned SALW, with the remaining seven States assessed in the study making good progress.
We can say with confidence that the RECSA region has made remarkable and measurable progress.
Jean Pierre Betindji, RECSA’s Executive Secretary
Table: Progress made in marking and recordkeeping for SALW, 2005-2025
| Measures | Yes (2005) | Yes (2025) | Partial (2005) | Partial (2025) |
| SALW marked at manufacture | 0 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| SALW marked at import | 0 | 8 | 0 | 1 |
| All State-owned SALW marked | 0 | 5 | 0 | 7 |
| Civilian-held SALW marked | – | 2 | – | 2 |
| Centralized inventory of State-owned SALW | 1 | 8 | 2 | 2 |
| Centralized inventory of civilian-held SALW | 0 | 8 | 1 | 2 |
Despite the notable progress, persistent challenges remain. Dr Omollo cautioned that “the study equally and clearly captures persistent gaps.” Dr Holtom also highlighted continued challenges in implementing the Nairobi Protocol – especially concerning the mobilization of adequate resources, the operationalization of tracing mechanisms, border controls, law enforcement cooperation, and regional information exchange.
The proliferation of SALW in the region continues to fuel conflicts, to undermine development, and to threaten safety and security of our communities.
Felix Namurahonye, Inspector General of Police in Rwanda and Chair of RECSA’s Technical Advisory Committee
A roadmap for renewal
The report launch represents an important opportunity for States and key stakeholders to renew their commitment to addressing the illicit SALW trade in the region. It provides recommendations to revise the Nairobi Protocol’s provisions to:
- strengthen cross-border cooperation or national coordination mechanisms;
- align the protocol with relevant international and regional arms control frameworks; and
- take into account emerging weapon technologies posing a threat to peace and security in the region, including improvised explosive devices and armed uncrewed aerial vehicles.
RECSA has incorporated the report’s recommendations into its next five-year plan (2026-2031). It will present proposals to update the Nairobi Protocol and its best-practice guidelines to the Technical Advisory Committee, which will meet in Kigali, Rwanda next June. This represents an important first step toward translating the report’s findings into practical measures to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit manufacturing, trafficking, possession and use of SALW in the region.
Revitalizing partnerships
Looking ahead, Dr Ivor Fund of the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs and Francis Wairagu of the Small Arms Survey both highlighted that to realize the new vision for the protocol, cooperation with international and regional organizations, civil society, academia and industry will need to be revitalized and enhanced. In this regard, Nerys Smith of the United Kingdom’s High Commission to Kenya expressed encouragement for these renewed efforts, stating: “We have a shared commitment to reduce human suffering and build a safer future in the region and the continent.”
The report on the Nairobi Protocol on SAWL at 20 is the final output of the joint UNIDIR-RECSA project, funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The report is intended to support RECSA Member States and Secretariat in responding to the call of RECSA’s 11th Council of Ministers Meeting to review the Nairobi Protocol.
