Oxfam Commend Africa's Efforts to Check Flow of Illegal Small Arms

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KAPENGURIA (Xinhua) -- British charity Oxfam has lauded Kenya and some other African countries for pushing for regulation of small arms after disability was blamed in the region.

The organization?s Arms Control Officer Anna MacDonald said on Tuesday the proliferation of small arms to Africa is threatening security and poverty alleviation and sabotaging economic development.

"The unchecked flow of light weapons into Africa is of great concern and have not only ruined lives but caused economic devastation and as an organization involved in the campaign against arms for over a decade we welcome actions by some governments against arms proliferation," the official said in Kacheliba in northwest Kenya.

She welcomed the gradual steps by some African countries to check the flow of the arms in the region, saying the presence of weapons has caused instability and ruined lives.

MacDonald led a team from Oxfam and ACT-Kenya to a fact-finding mission to evaluate disarmament program in Pokot County and along Kenya?s border with Uganda.

Governments, she said, should strive to regulate the flow of the arms to tame insecurity to give way for progressive development.

Pastoral regions, MacDonald regretted, have had slow development due to violent conflicts and cattle rustling menace, adding that concerned government should put in place appropriate measures to stamp out insecurity.

"It is indeed discouraging and unpleasing seeing people wiped out in violent attacks while families go hungry and displaced and economic activities curtailed.

"There is urgent need to stop dangerous culture," she urged.

While inspecting some 171 assorted firearms recovered from Pokot pastoralists by security officers during the disarmament exercise, MacDonald commended the government and the Pokot community for the progressive made in the recovery of the illegal guns and argued the steps would provide an opportunity to the development of the region.

"It is unfortunate that these illegal firearms has destroyed families and property, made people to suffer and fueled poverty.

"Communities should know that the fighting over cattle would not make them gain richness but hinder their economic progress," said MacDonald.

The Oxfam official urged tribal leaders to sensitize the community the importance of embracing peace and stop armed violence.

Pastoral communities in East Africa, she noted, have suffered for decades due to the high presence of illegal firearms and retrogressive practices wasting resources.

The official supported Kenya and other African countries which have backed the formation of an arms treaty scheduled in New York next month.

Robson Ndiema, commander of the disarmament program said forces were conducting a human face exercise to retrieve illegal firearms in the hands of the pastoralists in North Rift.

He said the disarmament program was called on last year due to a severe drought which hampered food security.

The official however expressed concern over lack of support from the local political leadership.

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