On Friday, 13 June 2025, Rwanda officially assumed the chairmanship of the Council of Ministers of the Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA) taking over from Kenya during the 11th RECSA Council of Ministers meeting held in Nairobi. During a handover ceremony,Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Interior, Kipchumba Murkomen, presented RECSA flag and instruments of establishment to Rwanda's Minister of Interior, Dr. Vincent Biruta.  Rwanda will be deputised by Tanzania

In his acceptance remarks, Dr. Biruta reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to strengthening RECSA’s role as a driving force for regional cooperation in addressing the challenges posed by the proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW). He pledged Rwanda’s full support to the RECSA Secretariat, including ensuring that it is adequately resourced to fulfill its mandate effectively.

Dr. Biruta also highlighted the growing complexity of SALW control in the face of emerging global challenges such as new technologies and climate change. These evolving threats, he noted, necessitate a recalibrated approach to SALW interventions to ensure continued relevance and success.   Rwanda takes over the leadership from Kenya.

The Council of Ministers is the supreme governing body of RECSA. It is composed of Ministers responsible for Internal Security—or other officials designated by the respective Member States.