05 Aug 2025

 The Conventional Arms Control Bill 2025, has been hailed as an important document that will help the country fulfill some of its multilateral and international obligations, in terms of dealing with the control of conventional arms or weapons. 

The Bill was presented before Parliament for second reading by the Minister for State President, Mr Moeti Mohwasa yesterday. In his debate,  Nata/Gweta MP, Mr Lawrence Ookeditse commended the minister saying the Bill would help the country contribute positively toward promotion of security and stability. 

Mr Ookeditse, who is also the assistant Minister of Health expressed concern that the proliferation of illicit weapons posed a challenge in most developing countries.  He said oftentimes, there was some obsession when dealing with and controlling nuclear weapons. 

“But if you look into what is happening, especially in developing countries such as ours, you will find that conventional weapons are actually more of a challenge or more of a problem,” he added. 

The MP noted the difference between conventional weapons and non-conventional weapons, and explained that the latter which included nuclear, biological or chemical weapons had the capability of widespread destruction. For that reason, he expressed delight that the Bill would ensure establishment of a central registry or repository that would make the traceability of conventional arms possible and easier. 

Having a regulatory authority in place to control the import, export and transfers of conventional weapons, he said would also ensure easier monitoring and control of the access and availability of conventional weapons within the country.  Looking at poaching patterns in the country, Mr Ookeditse said it was evident that poachers used a lot of conventional weapons, stressing that having a clear piece of legislation on the handling, transfer and possession of such weapons would also make it easier for law enforcement agencies to deal with and manage such weapons. 

For his part, Selebi Phikwe East MP, Mr Kgoberego Nkawana supported the Bill, saying ensuring legal possession of such arms would serve as means for self-defence against wild animals or criminals. He emphasised the need to also ensure people who applied for arms licences were adequate trained and qualified to be issued with such a license. This, he said would help curb negligence and promote safe keeping of the arms, more especially in homesteads. Mr Nkawana said there was also need for provision of temporary export and import licenses. 

Supporting the Bill, Gaborone Central MP, Dr Phenyo Butale, who is also Minister for International Relations thanked Minister Mohwasa for presenting the Bill, saying continous review and amendment of laws was critical.As a country that embraced dialogue and peaceful resolution of conflict, he said it was befitting for Botswana to have a Conventional Arms Control Bill in place. 

Dr Butale said the Bill was also important as it would ensure the country conformed to international standards for the transfer of conventional weapons, in line with the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty.  He said government was in a hurry to industrialise and create jobs, adding that the Bill would help diversify the country’s economy. 

Maun West MP, Mr Caterpillar Hikuama supported the Bill, suggesting that more arms licensing quota be allocated to the North West region, as the area was faced with more challenges of human-wildlife conflict.  Mr Hikuama also called for a deliberate decision or a provision to be made to allow for temporary permits. 

For his part, Palapye MP, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi also applauded Minister Mohwasa for coming up withthe Bill. Mr Ramogapi, who is also the Minister of Water and Human Settlement said it would provide policy direction in terms of the monitoring or providing check and balance around acquisition and transfers of conventional weapons locally. 

Mahalapye East MP, Mr Augustine Nyatanga, who is also the assistant Minister of Justice and Correctional Services said conforming to the Arms Trade Treaty, as a country, was important given what was happening internationally. Mr Nyatanga, said the Bill also gave assurance that Botswana complied with international treaty and authority. ENDS