Annex E

Joint Communiqué issued following the 2nd Ministerial Review Conference on Small Arms and Light Weapons, held in Nairobi, 20th and 21st April, 2004

The Ministers for Foreign Affairs and other Plenipotentiaries of the States Parties to the Nairobi Declaration and the Nairobi Protocol namely: Republic of Burundi, Republic of Djibouti, Democratic Republic of Congo, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the State of Eritrea, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Rwanda, Republic of the Seychelles, Republic of the Sudan, United Republic of Tanzania and Republic of Uganda met at Nairobi on 20th and 21st April 2004 for the 2nd Ministerial Review Conference of the Nairobi Declaration on the Problem of the Proliferation of Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons in the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa.

The Ministers and Plenipotentiaries noted with concern the continued problem of proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons in the region. The Ministers and Plenipotentiaries signed the Nairobi Protocol for the Prevention, Control and Reduction of Small Arms and Light Weapons and the Ministerial Declaration for Improved Capacity for Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons in the Great Lakes and the Horn of Africa.

The Ministers and Plenipotentiaries expressed their commitment and determination in preventing, combating and eradicating the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons in the entire region.

The Ministers and Plenipotentiaries welcomed the membership and signing of the Nairobi Protocol by the Republic of Seychelles.

The Ministers and Plenipotentiaries underscored the need to establish a Sub-Regional Centre for Small Arms as a body corporate responsible for the implementation of the Nairobi Declaration and Nairobi Protocol.

The Ministers and Plenipotentiaries constituted a Committee of Experts drawn from member states to draft the Agreement establishing the Sub-Regional Centre on Small Arms to be submitted and considered for possible adoption during the 3rd Ministerial Review Conference. The Ministers and Plenipotentiaries appreciated the commitment and efforts of the Nairobi Secretariat in the implementation of the principles and objectives of the Nairobi Declaration.

The Ministers and Plenipotentiaries thanked the Government of Kenya for the sustained political and financial support it has accorded to the Nairobi Secretariat.

The Ministers and Plenipotentiaries further extended their appreciation to the Donor Community, especially the Government of the United Kingdom through the Department of International Development (DfID), for the continued support for the implementation of the Nairobi Declaration through funding extended to the Nairobi Secretariat and State Parties engaged in National Action Plans.

The Ministers and Plenipotentiaries also expressed their gratitude to the Civil Society partners, particularly Saferworld, SaferAfrica and Security Research and Information Centre (SRIC) for their technical support to the Nairobi Secretariat as well as the member states’ National Focal Points.

The Ministers and Plenipotentiaries observed a minute of silence in honour of the Late Hon. Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr James Wapakabulo, of the Republic of Uganda, who passed away recently.

The Ministers and Plenipotentiaries conveyed their sincere condolences to the Government and the people of the Republic of Djibouti for the tragic loss of lives and properties due the recent floods in the country.

The Ministers and Plenipotentiaries thanked the Government of the Republic of Kenya and the people of Kenya as well as the Nairobi Secretariat for the warm hospitality extended to them during their stay in the country.

Issued in Nairobi
21st April, 2004