Koudougou, Burkina Faso – In a coordinated response to the escalating threat posed by the illicit circulation of small arms and light weapons, a national workshop was launched on Wednesday, June 25, in Koudougou.
The event runs through June 27 and forms part of the broader regional initiative titled “Preventive Approach to Protecting Development in the Gulf of Guinea”, known as the “Prevention Facility.”
Spearheaded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with Burkina Faso’s National Commission for the Control of Arms (CNCA), the workshop focuses on training and raising awareness around the responsible management of arms and ammunition.
The programme specifically targets the Eastern and Central-Eastern regions of Burkina Faso, where the security situation remains fragile.
The proliferation of small arms has become a pressing issue across the Sahel, fuelling intercommunal violence, undermining political stability, and threatening national security and sustainable development.
Burkina Faso, grappling with persistent terrorist threats and armed conflict, has witnessed a surge in the use of such weapons, exacerbating an already volatile security landscape.
General Wendwaoga Kéré, Permanent Secretary of the CNCA and Air Brigade General, underscored the gravity of the problem.
“Most of the illegal weapons in circulation originate from stockpiles regularly acquired by states,” he noted.
“It is therefore undeniable that the strict management of these stockpiles is essential to curbing the proliferation of arms.”
Addressing workshop participants, General Kéré emphasized the vital role of security in development.
“Peace and security are the foundations upon which all community development and personal fulfilment are built,” he said.
“I invite you to engage in fruitful exchanges.
I conclude by expressing my deep gratitude to the UNDP for making this gathering possible.”
The event gathered representatives from all branches of the security forces and forms part of a broader strategic effort to equip those involved in arms management with the necessary tools and knowledge to address this challenge effectively.
Losséni Cissé, representing the UNDP’s interim resident representative, highlighted the urgency of addressing arms circulation, particularly given the current climate.
“There are weapons in the hands of people who should not possess them, due to the country’s situation,” he explained.
“This project also seeks to dismantle the rhetoric that fuels terrorism and hate speech.”
He announced that additional training sessions will be held in other regions, alongside logistical and financial support for the CNCA to help it fulfil its mission.
“This will not be the last session,” Cissé assured.
The workshop represents a critical step toward stabilising Burkina Faso and reinforcing regional security, by not only controlling weapons but also addressing the deeper narratives that sustain violence.
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