The Pan African Parliament (PAP) legislators have called for ratification and implementation to address rampant armed violence on continent.
The MPs were contributing to debate during a two-day PAP regional seminar organized under the theme ‘connecting the dots, supporting agenda 2030, and Arms Trade Treaty implementation through increased parliamentary engagement and action in international processes’.
During the seminar held at PAP headquarters in Midland South Africa, the MPs vowed to raise issues of national concern by identifying threats posed by among others, unregulated private security companies.
“The heart of the problem of gun violence in Africa is in politics and the ability to establish governance systems where people find equity, where everybody feels they belong,’’ Prof. Ogenga Latigo, one of Uganda’s PAP legislators, said.
He further noted that legislators should work heard to ensure that the Executive upholds and implements its international commitments.
Karin Alofsson, the Secretary General of Parliamentary Forum on Small Arms and Light Weapons, said the situation in the world related to armed violence is very serious. Each year, he added, over 875 million small arms and light weapons are in circulation worldwide leading to the tragic death of thousands of individuals.
‘’The risk of gender based violence heightens in conflict situations and it is estimated that more than 45 percent of African women have experienced violence as a result of armed conflict, this is unacceptable,” Alofsson said.
Lilian Timveos (Zimbabwe) also noted that there is a lot of criminality and armed robberies arising from the prevalence of small arms and light weapons, ‘’Governments must task themselves with a mandated of regulating the flow of small arms and weapons,” she said.
‘’People must know that if they have weapons, the consequence will be heavy, and if they use these arms, the consequences will even be heavier.’’ Ignatienne Nyirarukundo (Rwanda) said.
The Arms Trade Treaty entered into force in December 2014.
Among other issues that PAP MPs are set to discuss include the development of the model law on disability mainstreaming, promotion of the Maputo Protocol in Southern and Central Regions; Implementation of the Protocol on free movement of people and African Passport among others.
According to President of PAP, Roger Nkodo Dang, Permanent Committees will also discuss the repeal of defamation laws to promote Press Freedom in Africa, the status of peace and security on the continent, illicit financial flows and the taxation system.
