Small arms conference slated for next week

A conference to discuss the illicit flow of small arms and proliferation of light weapons in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa region is slated for 12-15 March in Nairobi, an official from Kenya’s foreign affairs ministry told IRIN on Monday. Kenya’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheldon Muchilwa, also special envoy for the conference, has gone to most countries expected at the meeting to extend the invitation, including the DRC. Kenya is responsible for coordinating the logistics of the conference. “Otherwise it has been organised in conjunction with many other players,” the official said.