The indefatigable efforts of the Minister of Territorial Administration, MINAT, in the fight to control the illicit circulation of small arms and light weapons have been hailed by the Lower House of Assembly.
Rt Hon. Cavaye Yeguie Djibril made the remarks on behalf of the entire house while harping of the situation of insecurity in the North West, South West and Far North regions, which, he said has been exacerbated by the circulation of illicit small arms. It was during the opening the June ordinary session of the parliament Tuesday 8 June 2021 at the Yaoundé Conference Centre.
“In addition to the activities of separatist fighters, the National Assembly would also like to draw government’s attention to an increasingly disquieting issue – the circulation of all sorts of light arms. We have been reliably informed that the estimated number of such illicitly acquired arms in circulation in our country is seven thousand,” he stated, before saluting the strides of the MINAT boss who has been tirelessly implementing government measures to curb the phenomenon.
“I, therefore, salute the measures government has already taken in this respect through the ministry of Territorial Administration by regulating the purchase of light arms such as machetes,” Cavaye said while exhorting government “to do more by regulating the sector and expressly stating persons authorized to carry or own arms in Cameroon”.
He said the circulation of such arms at the moment “when there are growing security concerns which are further compounded by acts of violence and organized crime in the country point to the need to contain the illicit circulation of light arms”.
The House Speaker said failure to take more serious action in this direction “would continue to expose Cameroonians to the risk of being maimed and increase security concerns in the country”.
To recall is the fact that Minister Paul Atanga Nji recently placed a ban on the sale of automatic pistols nationwide and warned arm dealers against disrespect of laid down regulations governing the operation. This was during a crucial meeting with firearms and ammunition dealers to draw their attention to existing irregularities in their activities which continue to pose a threat to the country.
The minister said in spite of the provisions of Law No. 2016/015 of 14 December 2016 on arms and ammunitions in Cameroon, several people still possess modern or locally made firearms without authorizations duly issued by the Minister of Territorial Administration. He tasked the armoury owners to always provide detail digital and physical description of their armoury as well as all their transactions, which must clearly identify the buyer, his profession and his place of abode and others.
He reiterated that the acquisition, sale and keeping of fire arms and ammunition in the country is regulated by the aforementioned law and by decree No. 73/658 0f October 22, 1973. The interior boss said it has been realized that this legal provisions are constantly being violated by some firearm dealers, adding, that it is such disrespect that warranted the Head of State to task MINAT to shut down some firearms shops in 2018.
Government recently launched the African Amnesty Month in Cameroon (SEPTAMM2020) with strong commitment to not only check but completely fight the illicit flow of small and light weapons across the national territory.
By Doh Bertrand Nua
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