The KAFO VI Regional Planning Meeting concluded on 29th May, in Accra after three days of strategic dialogue, planning and collaboration among national focal points, regional experts and international partners committed to strengthening responses to cross-border firearms trafficking in West Africa.
The planning meeting which was hosted by the Ghana National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA) in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and with funding support from the German government, brought together representatives from Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, and Togo to set the foundation for the KAFO VI operation.
The closing day opened with a reflective review of the previous sessions, led by Leonardo Lara of UNODC. This was followed by a robust session on forward-looking recommendations, emphasizing the importance of deeper inter-agency cooperation, stronger legal frameworks, and sustained funding mechanisms. UNODC’s Leonardo Lara and Abdou Hamani led discussions with potential partners, highlighting the critical need for cross-border synergy and the collaboration of justice and security actors.
A key highlight of the day was the agreement on practical steps for the next phase, including plans for pre-operational meetings, regional training of trainers, and national-level capacity-building sessions. The importance of standardized tools such as threat assessments, recovery protocols, and joint operational plans was reaffirmed as central to the success of Operation KAFO VI.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, representatives from the Ministry of Justice and UNODC lauded the strong regional participation. They reiterated their support for the continuous fight against illicit firearms proliferation. They also emphasized that KAFO VI is not just an operation but a symbol of regional unity and determination to uphold peace and security in the ECOWAS region.
Dr. Bonaa, Acting Executive Secretary of the Commission, expressed his gratitude to all participants for their openness and active engagement throughout the meeting. He emphasized the need to strengthen capacity-building initiatives to support ongoing operational efforts in the fight against firearms trafficking. Dr. Bonaa also advocated for the inclusion of Niger in the KAFO VI Operation, recognizing the country’s critical role in combating illicit firearms proliferation in the region.
Over the past three days, participants examined past operations, reviewed national assessments, and collaboratively mapped out hotspots and target areas for the KAFO VI operations. Sessions also tackled the definition of roles and responsibilities of focal points, resource requirements, and the development of common training content.
As the meeting drew to a close, participants welcomed the announcement that the next meeting will take place in Bamako, Mali, further reinforcing regional ownership and cooperation in the KAFO Operations.
Operation KAFO VI which is a continuation of previous KAFO operations serves as a cornerstone in the implementation of the UNODC Global Firearms Programme thereby contributing to the broader goals of the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and the African Union’s Silencing the Guns agenda.
Keeping with the current momentum, Operation KAFO VI stands poised to make a meaningful impact in disrupting networks of illicit arms flows across the ECOWAS region.