Nairobi, 16 May 2014: A two-day meeting of the African Union (AU) – Regions Steering Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) took place in Nairobi, on 14 and 15 May 2014. The meeting, which was hosted by the Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA), brought together representatives of the members of the Steering Committee, including the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), RECSA, the United Nations (UN) and the World Bank’s Transitional Demobilization and Reintegration Program (TDRP).  

The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on a range of issues relating to the strengthening of cooperation and coordination in support of Member States in the fight against illicit SALW. It is worth recalling that the AU-Regions Steering Committee on SALW was established in June 2008 to enhance the capacity of the Regional Economic Communities and other relevant regional bodies, and coordinate their efforts to curb the proliferation of illicit SALW.

The meeting also discussed the implementation status of the AU-DDR Capacity Project (DDRCP). This project was initiated by the AU in February 2012 to develop African efforts on DDR through exchange of experiences and enhance support to ongoing DDR programme on the continent.

Furthermore, the Nairobi meeting was briefed on the proposed establishment of an AU Police Cooperation Mechanism (AFRIPOL).

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