The Ministry of Interior (MININTER) in partnership with the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) Secretariat and the Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA) conducted a two day sensitization workshop for Rwanda national Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) Accession by the Republic of Rwanda.

The Arms Trade Treaty is a multilateral treaty that regulates the international trade in conventional weapons. It entered into force on 24 December 2014.

The workshop that took place in Kigali from 25^th to 26^th October 2022, brought together representatives from Civil Societies (CSOs), the Rwanda National Focal Person on Small Arms and Light Weapons, and RECSA was officiated by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Mr. SESONGA Benjamin.

 In his speech, the Permanent Secretary said that illicit flow of small arms and light weapons is the major cause of insecurity and fragility in the RECSA region.

He added that Small Arms and Light weapons are used to commit acts of terrorism, armed violence, crime and other vices which contribute to the violation of human rights and threaten state stability and recalled that full implementation of the ATT, would reduce illegal trafficking of Small Arms and Light weapons into and within the RECSA region.

This will in turn enhance security and allow our governments and citizens to focus on socio-economic development as well as good governance, the Permanent Secretary recalled.

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