Namibia National Action Plan 2005

Foreword by the Minister: Mr Jerry Ekandjo

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The heart of the motive for the development of the Namibia Action Plan on firearms was a national concern to enhance the safety and security of the people within Namibia. The prevalence of illicit firearms in Namibia presents a direct threat to the well-being of the people of Namibia. While Namibia is more fortunate than its neighbours in with respect to the illicit proliferation of firearms there has over the last period been an unacceptable increase in firearm related crime. It is widely recognized that to comprehensively address the issue of illicit firearms, the existing legal firearm stocks need to be better managed to prevent leakages from the licit to the illicit stocks. Parallel to these actions, efforts to reduce the existing illegal firearms within the territory also need to be implemented. Finally, we need to have strategies to reduce future demand for firearms. The Namibian Action Plan draws together the findings of a comprehensive information collection and analysis process, to produce a strategy to redress the situation in Namibia.

The Namibian Government stand along side the many other governments in Southern Africa in recognizing the direct threat that the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons represents to the development, stability, safety and security of the region. Our commitment to addressing the problem is evident by our participation and contributions at various international and regional initiatives such as the Bamako Declaration, United Nations Programme of Action and the SADC Protocol on the Control of Firearms, Ammunition and Other Related Materials.

Under the directorship of the Namibian Arms Management Committee, the National Focal Point on small arms, is tasked with the implementation of the National Action Plan on small arms in conjunction with other governmental and non-governmental role players. Indeed it is only in full partnership between government and civil society that the action plan can be fully realized.