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

The Botswana National Focal Point. Composition and plan of Action presentation by the Deputy Commissioner of Police
Mr J Batshu

The presentation will address the following question:
- Why the Botswana National Focal Point in Small Arms and Light Weapons?
- What is it made of?
- What are its Challenges and Plan of Action?
At Continental level, the Bamako Declaration on an African Common Position on the Illicit Proliferation, Circulation and Trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons of 1st December 2000, commits state parties to "put in place National Coordination Agencies responsible and for policy guidance, research and monitoring on all aspects of Small Arms and Light Weapons Proliferation, Control, Circulation, Trafficking and Reduction".
At Global level,
The United Nations Programme of Action (UNPoA) to prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in all its Aspects, binds state parties among others to establish "National Coordination Agencies or bodies" responsible for policy guidance, research and monitoring of efforts to prevent, combat and eradicate, the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in all its Aspects. The UNPoA further calls on state parties to establish or designate a "National Point of Contact" as a liaison between States on matters relating to the implementation of the Programme of Action.
At Regional level, the SADC Protocol on the Control of Firearms, Ammunition and Other related Materials , at its Article b, binds State Parties to establish inter-agency groups involving Police, Military, Customs, Immigration (Home Affairs) Foreign Affairs and other relevant agencies to improve policy coordination, information sharing and analysis at National level regarding firearms, ammunition and related materials.
The Arms and Ammunition Act Chapter 24:01 of the Laws of Botswana provides for the Control of Arms and Ammunition in this country, and, in terms of Section 3 of the said Act, the Commissioner of Police is the Administrator of the said Act.
In accordance with the requirement of the United Nations Programme of Action, Botswana has designated the office of the Commissioner of Police as the "National Contact Point" for liaison with other State Parties on matters relating to the Implementation of the Programme of Action.
Furthermore, in order for Botswana to be compliant with all the above International Instruments referred to, a National Focal Point was established in April. 2002 drawing its membership from the following Ministries and Departments:

Office of the President - 1 Member
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation - 1 Member
The Botswana Police Service - 4 Members including Secretariat
The Botswana Defence Force - 2 Members
The Attorney General's Chambers - 2 Members
The Department of Customs and Excise - 1 Member
The Department of Mines - 1 Member
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship - 1 Member

Plans are under way to identify through BOCONGO a member from Civil Society.

The following were immediate challenges facing the National Focal Point at is inception and they still remain:

Reviewing of the Arms and Ammunition Act in order for it to be in consonance with the requirements of the UNPoA, The Bamako Declaration and the SADC Protocol. In this connection, gaps in the law were identified and Government was accordingly advised through the office of the Commissioner of Police. The process culminated with Cabinet directing that the law be amended accordingly. The intended amendment will benefit from outcomes of this conference.
Strict monitoring of imported/exported firearms in order to ensure that firearms temporarily imported into Botswana are subsequently exported.
Ensuring that Government Ministries and Departments which hold firearms for official use, maintain accurate inventories of such firearms in terms of the Finance and Audit Act Chapter 54:01.
Ensuring proper records keeping, with more emphasis on the maintenance of computerised records at the Central Arms Registry which can be shared within and outside Government.
Training of law enforcement officials on border control, and airport interdictions.
National Research and Mapping was considered a priority area as it is through research and publication thereof that the extent of the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons can be determined so that informed decisions can be made.
Preventive public awareness and education campaigns to sensitize the public about the dangers posed by misuse of firearms and the need for proper safe keeping or storage of licensed firearms.

The Action Plan

The National Focal Point is encouraged by the fact that Botswana has signed and ratified the SADC Protocol on the control of Firearms, Ammunition and Other Related Materials and that the country has participated in the formulation of both the BAMAKO Declaration and the UNPoA.
The Botswana National Focal Point has since embarked on an ambitious Plan of Action for 2003, part of which is this conference. The Action Plan includes, inter alia, the following;

Overseeing this conference.
Overseeing the implementation of the recommendations of this conference and subsequently coming up with a holistic National Plan of Action for the Implementation of the UNPoA, Bamako Declaration and the SADC Protocol.
Monitoring of SARPCCO Plan of Action for the Implementation of the SADC Firearms Protocol.
Amendment of the Arms and Ammunition Act by 31st December 2003.
Monitoring of State-owned firearms to ensure their safekeeping. The National Focal Point is committed to executing the above Action Plan.