Control Arms Coalition Activities to Encourage accession to the ATT in Burundi
A roundtable, organized by the Center for Training and Development of Former Combatants in Burundi (CEDAC) in partnership with Réseau d’Actions Paisibles des Anciens Combattants pour le Développement Intégré de tous au Burundi (RAPACODIBU) brought together members of the Burundian government and civil society, to discuss the Arms Trade Treaty’s universalization in Burundi. The Chairman of CNAP, the body of the government responsible for SALW and disarmament of the civil population of Burundi, spoke in favor of the Treaty and expressed eagerness in Burundi to ratify the ATT after all preliminary legislative procedures have been completed. He also welcomed the roundtable, stating that it provided valuable information and a chance to raise awareness and engage official stakeholders and decision makers on the ATT. Forty participants discussed a number of issues ranging from the Treaty’s provisions, its harmonization with local laws, to the need for translating the ATT into local languages in order to increase accessibility and understanding. A number of publicity spots on local radio were also broadcast calling on Parliament to complete the ratification process. This roundtable built on earlier roundtables and capacity building opportunities held in 2015.
The #ArmsFreeAfrica campaign, a signature focus for Control Arms in 2016, is intended to help reduce the damaging effects of violence caused by the poor regulation of arms transfers in Africa. Its goals are to raise the profile of the threat posed by armed violence, support further universalization and effective implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) in Africa and raise the profile of African Control Arms coalition members. Building on Nigeria’s position as President of the second Conference of States Parties to the ATT (CSP2016), the #ArmsFreeAfrica campaign seeks to highlight the related problems of armed violence and chronic, cyclical conflict in Africa.
Control Arms Secretariat
Address: 205 East 42nd Street, 20th Floor
New York, NY 10017, USA
Telephone: +1 (212) 687-3146
Email: info@controlarms.org
Website: http://controlarms.org/en/
CEDAC
Eric Niragira, Executive Director
Email: ericniragira@gmail.com
Telephone: 0025779912027