Recent events

On 29 August 2002 the Interpol Sub Regional Bureaus for Africa held a workshop on Small Arms and Light Weapons training needs. The main proposal was that a five day seminar for Senior Regional Bureau Chiefs, designated firearms desk officers and three other bureau officials of the bureau (one per region) be held. It was further decided that the training should also include representatives from Interpol Headquarters.
The training agenda comprised the following:

All existing applicable arms initiatives and protocols that impact upon the African region.
The comprehensive nature of the problem and the international solutions proposed.
Arms management issues in their prevention, control and reduction aspects.
The nature, composition, commonalities and differences of existing regional cooperation structures including their mandates and their resources (to establish exchange of information and coordination dynamics that are sensitive to the particular operating environment of each bureau).
The nature, composition, dynamic and problems involved in undertaking national processes for arms management and disarmament.

As a result the Pilot Course on Small Arms and Light Weapons training seminar was held at Interpol Head Office Lyon, France, from 11 August to 14 August 2003. The Heads of the Interpol Sub regional Bureaus of Eastern, Southern, Western and Central Africa, the SRB Head for South America and the SRB’s Coordinator:

Endorsed, as being appropriate for presentation to senior law enforcement officials the content of the Pilot course.
Confirmed that the content of the Pilot course was central to the successful implementation of the UNPOA and other initiatives.
Confirmed that Interpol through its Sub Regional Bureaus has an integral role to play in the implementation of these initiatives.

Recommendations of the INTERPOL Pilot Course on Small Arms and Light Weapons for Managers and Practitioners in Africa