Towards a Safe and Secure Nation: The First Consultative Conference on Firearm Control, Ownership and Administration in Botswana, 13-15 May, 2003

Botswana and its strategic enviroment by the Deputy Commissioner of Police
Mr J Batshu

I stand with utmost pleasure to give a synoptical overview of Botswana in her strategic environment at this First National Consultative Conference on Firearms Regulation, Ownership and Administration in Botswana.
We are all aware of the socioeconomic ills associated with the illicit proliferation, circulation and trafficking of small arms and light weapons. We all recognise that the problem of small arms and light weapons contributes to some of the following:
- Sustains conflicts, exacerbates violence, contributes to the displacement of innocent peoples and threatens international humanitarian law as well as fuelling crime.
- Promotes a culture of violence.
- Has adverse effects on security and development particularly on women, refugees and other vulnerable groups.
- Undermines good governance and threatens peace and stability.
- Has a devastating consequence on children especially as some are turned into child combatants, etc.
Botswana's geoeconomic situation or environment necessitates for a speedy implementation and adherence to the articles of:
- The Bamako Declaration on the African Common Position on the Illicit Proliferation, Circulation and Trafficking of Small Arms and Weapons.
- The United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in all its Aspects.
- The SADC Protocol on the Control of Firearms, Ammunition and Other Related Materials.
Botswana is geographically located in the centre of Southern Africa. We share a long border with the Republic of South Africa, the Republic of Zimbabwe, Namibia and some stretch (700m) with Zambia. It is in a way trans inlet and outlet to nationals visiting these states. It is a transit route for economic purposes. This therefore means that, any inefficiency in adherence to the aforementioned arrangements by either Botswana or the said states can seriously impact on the intended goals and the contemporary gospel of globalisation.
It further implies that harmonisation of our laws relating to small arms and weapons should be of high priority. Our laws should be harmonised so as to save our societies and economies from the socioeconomic ills already spelt out.
It is further a fact that some of our sister States in Southern Africa emerged out of protracted struggles of liberation wars, which resulted in the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, some of which fell into the hands of the criminal elements. As a result, Botswana continues to experience increasing incidents of crimes involving the use of firearms (such as in robberies) and elicit possession of the same by foreigners (particularly from South Africa and Zimbabwe) whilst in Botswana.
Amongst others, Botswana's economy is centred on tourism, sponsored by wildlife. The wildlife industry is more often under attack from local and international poachers some of whom use small arms. This is the area in which we continue to experience illicit proliferation of firearms.
Botswana's political stability has over the years resulted in a stable economic stability and growth. This has served as a magnet to criminals, resulting in an increase in the number of armed robbery cases in which firearms were used.
As a commitment to end the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons, Botswana has identified the need to undertake the following;
1. Review of the current arms and ammunition legislation
  This conference is the first step in a process that will culminate in the amendment of the Arms and Ammunition Act.
2. Capacity building
  Training of officers and building of support facilities for the police, this is not only in firearm investigation and identification but the beefing up of the Police Forensic Laboratory Ballistics Unit/Section.
3. Involvement in cross-border operations
  Since the problem of illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons is transnational, there is a need to conduct regional operations. Operations such as Mangochi Phase 1 and 2 were carried out under the auspices of SARPCCO. As recent as this year 2003, we conducted operation FOREX at national level. Though the operations did not target weapons per se, they were items on the agenda and indeed recoveries were made.
With these few remarks, I wish to say that the Botswana Police Service is highly commited to seeing the problem of illicit proliferation, circulation and trafficking of small arms and weapons, brought under control or eradicated. The control and/or eradication of the problem of illicit proliferation, circulation and trafficking of small arms and weapons will by and large help us achieve our Crime Reduction Goal. The goal under which we have pledged "To provide a quality service to the people of Botswana, which provides for their needs and focuses on the reduction of crime and making communities safer."

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