Committee discusses arms ownership and utilization with commissioners

Dec 18, 2019; Addis Ababa: Foreign relations and peace affairs standing committee of the House of Peoples’ Representatives of the FDRE hold discussion with commissioners from all regions, Dire-Dawa administration, Addis Ababa city administration and with the Federal Police commissioner on the bill for arms ownership and utilization.

Chairman of the standing committee, his excellence Ato Tesfaye Daba during the discussion said; the illicit arms’ trafficking is threatening the citizens and the country as a whole. As a result, the bill’s primary purpose is goes to be safeguarding the safety and security of citizens, he added.

“Gunrunning is being transacted just like as commodity exchange and illegal groups are widely arming-up themselves using the opportunity. Hence, the bill is essential and current concern”, Ato Tesfaye indicated.

The bill is being developed in conformity with the interests of the farmers, semi-farmers and semi-pastoralists including the total pastoralists; the chairman explained.

The discussion entertained various comments and suggestions deemed helpful to improve, add and reduce contents of the bill. Ato Tesfaye said, the bill will end-up a proclamation having all the suggestions from the concerned bodies.

Commissioner General of the Federal Police, Endeshaw Tassew on his part said; due to an enormous increase of crimes resulting from illicit trade of arms and ammunition, the bill is important.

Mitigated legal accountability for arms trafficking and shallow punishments even for the red-handed owners of vehicles involved in the illicit contraband are believed to intensify the gunrunning.

Translated by Asrat Addisu

                       House writer