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

Welcome remarks by the Honourable Minister for Presedential Affairs and Public Administration
Mr Daniel K Kwelagobe

I feel greatly honoured to welcome you to this First National Consultative Conference on Firearms, Control, Ownership and Administration in Botswana. The main purpose of this Conference is to commence nationwide consultations for the development of more effective measures and sound strategies for the long-term control of firearms in Botswana and to enhance public safety and security.
Quite a lot of work has to be undertaken towards the development of a strategic plan in line with the following protocols and programmes:
- The Protocol on the control of Firearms, Ammunition and other related materials in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
- The SADC Programme on Prevention, Combating and Control of Proliferation and Illicit Trafficking in Small Arms and Light Weapons.
- The Bamako Declaration on an African common position on the Illicit Proliferation, Circulation and Trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons.
- 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.
Your Excellency the President of the Republic of Botswana, Ladies and Gentlemen, Botswana is conscious of the fact that unregulated and uncontrolled firearms, contribute to heightened levels of social instability in the form of conflict, violence, violent crimes and other social disorders in the country as a whole. Therefore, deliberate steps have to be taken towards addressing these problems proactively by adopting the above-mentioned protocols.
I am aware of the urgent need in this country and the region as a whole to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit manufacturing of firearms, ammunition and other related materials, and their excessive and destabilising accumulation, trafficking, possession and use, because of their links with, among others drug trafficking, terrorism, trans-national organised crime and other violent criminal activities like armed robbery.
This Conference will provide a framework for a close partnership with all stakeholders to maintain effective control on firearms regulation, ownership and administration in Botswana. Ladies and Gentlemen, one cannot overemphasise the importance of regional and international initiatives that have been undertaken to prevent, control and regulate firearms, especially by organisations such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO), African Union (AU), United Nations and the International Criminal Police Organisation (ICPO) known by its telegraphic name as Interpol.
All that these organisations are advocating is a safe environment where humanity will live in peace and harmony with itself. This fundamental right of living in a peaceful and harmonious society has become a rainbow chase among many communities. The very firearms that we all want to own were being abused by some evil persons in our societies to commit heinous crimes.
Ladies and Gentlemen, one has to appreciate the fact that the necessary legislation in Botswana, especially the Arms and Ammunition Act was enacted and it has incorporated the following measures:
- the prohibition of unrestricted possession of small arms by civilians;
- the total prohibition of the possession and use of light weapons by civilians;
- the coordination of procedures for the import, export and transit of firearms and ammunition;
- the regulation and centralised registration of all civilian-owned firearms in the country through the Central Arms Registry at Police Headquarters;
- measures ensuring that proper controls are exercised over the manufacturing of, possession and use of firearms, ammunition and other related materials;
- provisions promoting legal uniformity and minimum standards respect of the manufacture, control, possession, import, export and transfer of firearms, ammunition and other related materials;
- the monitoring and auditing of licences held in a person's possession, and the restriction on the number of firearms that may be owned by any person.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Botswana's Long Term Vision (Vision 2016) challenges us as a nation to eliminate serious and violent crime and the illegal possession of firearms to create a safe and secure environment which will attract investors. Therefore, today's conference is another milestone towards a realisation of this cherished dream of a safe and secure nation.
Your Excellency, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, my task this afternoon really was not to make a very long speech. Let me once again thank his Excellency the President, Mr Festus Mogae for having found time in spite of his busy schedules to be with us this afternoon. This really demonstrates your personal commitment and that of government towards ensuring a conducive environment in which all of us can all live happily side by side without fear of any form of crime, which among others would come from misuse of firearms.
With these few remarks, I welcome you all to the Gaborone International Convention Centre and wish you a fruitful deliberation throughout this Conference.