Topic: Illicit Trade in Small Arms
Country: Kenya
Delegate Name: Allison Brazeau
School: Mattawan High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Kenya position papers GLIMUN 2009 committees
The country of Kenya is firmly against the trade of illegal small arms. A recent poll has said that more than 2,000 people are killed in western and southern Africa every day. In 2007 the United Nations called for stronger laws in Kenya prohibiting small arms trade. The global impact of this situation is great, for Kenya and other countries are receiving illegal weapons from Somalian refugees. With war zones in neighboring countries such as Somalia, Ethiopia, and Sudan, Kenya has even recently overcome a civil war as well, it is becoming more than necessary to eliminate this problem.
Kenya has already tried to diminish illicit small arms trade; however, our efforts remain futile, we need stronger laws. In 2004 Kenya, among other countries, signed a document that authorized Kenya to criminalize the manufacturing and trading of small arms.
Kenya has also taken more precautions, we have revised policies and legislation on this topic. Unfortunately, gun violence still remains a major problem in Kenya.
Our country wishes to nationally address the issue of light weapons trade. The safety and security in ammunition and gun trade needs to be reinstated. This issue could also be resolved through stronger border control, so refugees cannot bring in illegal arms, and more police training.
We are calling for the United Nations to pass more forceful laws on illicit small arms trade; local laws are not enough to stop this complication on a global level. We are sure fellow African nations such as Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda will cooperate with any laws passed on this issue.
