Defence Ministry Drafts Arms Control Bill

By Rosemary Kamanga

The Ministry of Defence has started the drafting processes of the National Conventional Arms Control Bill.

The move aims to domesticate the treaty to advance human security through improving accountability, responsibility and transparency in international arms transfer controls.

Zambia became a state party to the Arms Trade Treaty -ATT- on August 18, 2016 and is among the 116 state parties to the arms trade treaty.

Ministry of Defence Permanent Secretary MAAMBO HAAMAUNDU says being a state party to the Arms Trade Treaty obligates Zambia to domesticate the treaty so that it corresponds well with the local legal framework for effective implementation.

Speaking when he officially opened a workshop on the drafting of the National Conventional Arms Control Bill and its Regulations in Lusaka, Mr. HAAMAUNDU said the regulations for the domestication of the treaty are vital to the implementation of the Act.

He said the Ministry will ensure that the Arms Trade Treaty is implemented in accordance with the provisions and requirements of the Zambian constitution.

This is according to a statement issued to ZNBC by Ministry of Defence Principal Public Relations Officer PAUL SHALALA.