IGAD-RECSA Partnership: Signing Ceremony of Reinstate of MoU

25 July, 2019 (DJIBOUTI, Djibouti): A Memorandum of Understanding was renewed between the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the Regional Centre on Small Arms in the Great Lakes Region, Horn of Africa and Bordering States (RECSA) today at IGAD Secretariat. RECSA was established by the member states of the Nairobi Protocol on June 21, 2005 with the mandate to ensure the efficient and effective implementation of the said Protocol.

This Memorandum of Understanding serves to reinstate the formal relations established between RECSA and IGAD in the first Memorandum of Understanding of 10^th August 2009 and to reinvigorate cooperation, and to facilitate the effective undertaking of complementary and joint projects and activities that contribute to enhancing peace and security for development in the Great Lakes Region, the Horn of Africa and Bordering States.

IGAD Security Sector Program (IGAD SSP) would work closely with RECSA to promote strategic partnerships to effectively combat the problem of Small Arms and Light Weapons. Furthermore, they would Organizing and conducting joint special training programmes aimed towards strengthening the capacity of RECSA and IGAD Member States on prevention, control and reduction of proliferation and trafficking/circulation of Small Arms and Light Weapons; in addition to conduct joint programs on counter-terrorism, conflict prevention, stabilization and promotion of governance and security sector reforms within the region.

Commander Abebe Muluneh Beyene, the Director of IGAD SSP has signed on behalf of H.E Ambassador Engineer Mahboub M. Maalim, the Executive Secretary of IGAD; and on the other hand, H.E Lieutenant. General Badreldin Elamin Abdelgadir, the Executive Secretary of RECSA has signed for RECSA.

The IGAD region is highly engulfed by illicit firearms through the porous borders that is hindering the integrated sustainable development and fuel violent conflict across the region. Thus, it is high time for IGAD and RECSA to reinstate the working collaboration for the better end. As a result, they are agreed to:

• Promoting and developing mechanisms for information acquisition, processing and sharing that shall enhance regional peace and security efforts;
• Complementary technical expertise sharing to support and complement the implementation of each other’s mandate;
• Organizing and conducting joint special training programmes aimed towards strengthening the capacity of RECSA and IGAD Member States on prevention, control and reduction of proliferation and trafficking/circulation of Small Arms and Light Weapons;
• Joint planning, organizing, and participating in the activities organized by each, aimed at amplifying the prevention, control and reduction of proliferation and trafficking/circulation of Small Arms and Light Weapons as a critical aspect of Human Security;
• Conducting joint programs on counterterrorism, conflict prevention, stabilization and promotion of governance and security sector reforms within the region.
• Resource mobilization for joint programs aimed at strengthening Peace, Security and Development in the region;
• Promoting and supporting harmonization of legislations and policy frameworks in the IGAD and RECSA Member States;
• Promoting and supporting the implementation of agreed international and regional frameworks relevant to the prevention, control and reduction of proliferation, trafficking, circulating and stockpiling of small arms and light weapons
• Any other areas of shared priorities and common interests as may be agreed to by the Parties.

 Under this MoU, both Parties agree to cooperate and facilitate the effective undertaking of complementary and joint projects and activities that contribute to enhancing peace and security for development in the IGAD and RECSA region.

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