Interior CS Kithure Kindiki has vowed to end the trafficking of illicit light.
Speaking on Monday during the handover ceremony of the Regional Centre on Small Arms executive secretary, Kindiki said that this will make regional countries peaceful and secure.
The CS said that the illicit small arms have been a major cause of continued unrest in the region, and has hindered the needed economic development.
"The matter of the negative of light weapons in our region is as urgent and a priority as it was during the formation of RECSA. Small arms continue to fuel unrest in our countries and impede economic development," Kindiki said.
He noted that unless the negative effects of the proliferation of illicit Small arms are eliminated, Africa risks being left behind in the global industrial revolution.
The CS said Africa has the youngest population in the world and this gives it an advantage over the rest of the world.
Kindiki said that with peace and security, the region, with the backing of its youthful population will be able to rise to its full development potential.
"The combination of a young population and vast arable land in Africa only needs one catalyst to catapult the region into development; peace and security," he said.
"...with a stable continent where there is peace, security and democracy, Africa will play a decisive in the next industrial revolution."
CS Kindiki who is the chairperson of the RECSA Council of Ministers affirmed his full support to the new executive director, Jean Pierre Betindji.
"I assure you of my personal, hands-on support as RECSA Chairman to ensure that the organisation achieves the desired targets," he said.
Lt. Gen. Badreldin E. Abdelgadir is the immediate former Executive Secretary of RECSA.
RECSA is charged with mopping up of small arms and weapons in the region to ensure sustainable peace and security
