Dar es Salaam – Tanzania has established a new national committee to control and manage the proliferation of illegal firearms, a move aimed at curbing the rise in violent crime and enhancing national security.
The committee, launched on February 3, 2026, by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Camillus Wambura, will be responsible for identifying, preventing, and recommending solutions to the challenges posed by the widespread availability of illicit weapons.
The establishment of this committee comes at a critical time for Tanzania, which has been grappling with a surge in armed robberies, murders, and other violent crimes linked to the illegal arms trade.
The problem is exacerbated by the country’s porous borders with conflict-ridden nations like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which has become a major source of illicit weapons flowing into the region.
According to security analysts, the conflict in the DRC has led to an abundance of illegal weapons, including AK-47s, which are smuggled across Lake Tanganyika into Tanzania.
READ MORE: Tanzanian Police Refute Claims of Container Full of Heavy Weapons Entering the Country Illegally
These weapons often end up in the hands of criminal syndicates, poachers, and local gangs, contributing to a climate of fear and insecurity in both urban and rural communities.
The proliferation of illegal firearms has a direct impact on various forms of crime in Tanzania. Reports indicate a strong correlation between the availability of these weapons and an increase in armed robberies, gender-based violence, and cattle rustling.
In pastoralist communities, for instance, the use of firearms in livestock theft has transformed a traditional practice into a deadly criminal enterprise.
In response to this growing threat, the Tanzanian government has implemented several measures in recent months. In September 2025, a two-month amnesty was announced, allowing individuals to surrender illegal firearms without fear of prosecution.
This was followed by a seven-day amnesty in January 2026 and a new policy in November 2025 to halt the entry of new firearms through border crossings.
READ MORE: Tanzania Announces Two-Month Arms Amnesty Starting September 2025
Experts believe that a multi-faceted approach is necessary to effectively address the problem of illegal weapons. This includes strengthening border controls, enhancing regional cooperation with neighbouring countries, and implementing robust community-based initiatives.
The new committee is expected to play a central role in coordinating these efforts and developing a comprehensive national strategy for arms control.
During the launch of the committee, IGP Wambura emphasized the collective responsibility of all Tanzanians in tackling this issue. He called for greater community vigilance and a patriotic commitment to protecting the nation’s security, in line with the country’s constitution.
The committee’s first task will be to undergo intensive training on national laws, regional protocols, and international best practices in arms management.
