The significant proliferation and circulation of weapons in Burkina Faso worries

Civilian weapons, including 12-gauge shotguns and 7.5-gauge automatic pistols, are imported by private security companies, civilian armories and hunting concessionaires.

(illustrative image) © Getty Images/Pavel Usachenko

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

A large quantity of weapons enters Burkina Faso without control.

This is the revelation made by the National Arms Control Commission.

Weapons that fuel community tensions and organized crime.

According to the permanent secretary of the commission, there is an urgent need to review the legislation in force in order to control this flow of arms.

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“There are a lot of weapons entering Burkina

,” reveals Colonel Major Fatogoma Anselme Sanou.

But it is difficult for the permanent secretary of the National Arms Control Commission to give figures, because there is no provision limiting imports.

Civilian weapons, including 12-gauge shotguns and 7.5-gauge automatic pistols, are imported by private security companies, civilian gun shops and hunting concessionaires. 

Many people possess weapons illegally.

They would have acquired them either through ignorance or through inheritance.

“

,” says Colonel-Major Fatogoma Anselme Sanou, who believes that this will make it possible to identify all these weapons and mark them to ensure their traceability.

The proliferation and illicit circulation of arms feeds community tensions, accentuates organized crime and serves as a breeding ground for non-state armed groups that engage in acts of terrorism, continues the permanent secretary of the National Arms Control Commission.

It is therefore essential, he says, to control the flow of arms in the fight against armed violence in Burkina Faso.

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• Burkina Faso