The formalization of the beginning of the process of replacing weapons of war held by private security companies was carried out yesterday by the Angolan National Police (PNA) together with the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA). Since its inception, 1,298 have already been replaced, according to general commissioner Arnaldo Carlos
The general commander of the PNA, general commissioner Arnaldo Carlos, explained that it is necessary for the weapons held by private security companies to be replaced with defense weapons compatible with the nature of their missions. According to him, the PNA’s intention is to start this year with a focus on resolving the control of the possession and use of weapons of war, which, he considered, are conditions of public security and do not contribute to reducing the practice of violent crimes.
For this reason, he explained that his body decided to implement this act of replacing weapons of war with others suitable for carrying out private security activities, and, to date, companies dedicated to this purpose have already received more than 3 a thousand means of war. “This replacement process has already involved 1,298 weapons of war, 1,281 of which are shotguns and 17 pistols.
3,488 defense weapons with their respective certificates were delivered to private companies, including 3,426 rifles and 62 pistols”, he described. Defense weapons were acquired by 142 private security and self-protection system companies, of which 66 made the exchange and the rest did not previously have the means.
Before the formalization process that took place yesterday, the PNA analyzed the issue with private security companies and established a plan to replace weapons of war, which is in its voluntary delivery phase and which might reach the coercive phase for those who resist to its fulfillment.
Exchange procedure
The procedure adopted to replace weapons must involve the importation of defense weapons by licensed companies, which, following completing the customs clearance process, are stored, duly cataloged and registered. In the same sense, private security companies must request the PNA for a license to purchase defense weapons, in the desired quantities, so that, in turn, the gunsmiths can allocate the weapons in the warehouses of the PNA’s Public Security department, where they will be registered and assigned booklets.
“Weapons of war delivered by private security companies are sent to the warehouses of the National Commission for the Disarmament of the Civil Population, where they are stored and subjected to the marking process”, he added.
FAA reaffirms full availability
The chief of the General Staff of the FAA, aviation general Antino dos Santos, reaffirmed the total availability of his body, in joint actions with the PNA, aimed at disarming and holding civil and criminal liability for citizens who persist in illegal possession of a firearm.
The head of the FAA said that the measure will be extended to those who choose to sell it in favor of criminal groups that promote the installation of a climate of insecurity in urban and peri-urban centers. For the formal act of replacement, 90 AKM-type war weapons were presented, replaced by defense weapons, 50 from the security company Plantão and 40 from the company Protector.
In 2008, the Angolan Government approved the civilian population disarmament program through Resolution 47/8 of 4 June, the implementation of which allowed the collection of 112 thousand and 76 weapons. The activity was attended by the Attorney General of the Republic for the Military Area, second general commanders, general officers, commissioners, superiors and subordinates, the inspector general of the PNA, and representatives of private security companies.
