Africa


Gambia wants effective control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW)


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Hon. Ousman Sonko, The Gambia’s minister for the Interior and NGO Affairs has expressed the desire of The Gambia government for the effective control of small arms and light weapons in the West African sub region. The minister said this at a one-day validation workshop on the national small arms and light weapons survey studies.
According to him, the effective control of small arms and light weapons will pave way for maintenance of peace and security, noting that this is one of the key pillars of sustainable development.
The study being validated covered three reports which comprise the national household survey on small arms and light weapons in The Gambia, review of the impact of small arms and light weapons proliferation on social and economic development in The Gambia and review and assessment of existing legal and regulatory provisions for the control of small arms and light weapons at national level.
The study reports have overall objectives of accessing the level and magnitude of small arms proliferation in the country; evaluate the impact on the socio economic development of the country and to review the firearms legislative framework and provisions.
According to the minister, it is necessary that the participants take into cognizance the challenges associated with proliferation of small arms and light weapons, the legislative instruments in place as well as the related socio-economic issues associated with SALW. He said that it should be noted that the study reports are part and parcel of regional efforts spearheaded by ECOSAP aimed at curbing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and minimizing their negative impacts on sustainable peace and development in the ECOWAS sub region.
According to him, The Gambia, along with other member states of ECOWAS has in the past embarked on a series of measures to curb the proliferation of SALW. He said that as part of its commitments, the government in April 2009 passed the Bill establishing The Commission Against the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons and went on to provide it with an office and initial running costs.
Minister Sonko noted that to effectively combat the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons, there is the need to firstly understand the depth and magnitude of the problem in each country. He added that hence the conduct of countrywide small arms and light weapons survey and the accompanying studies being first crucial activity that would lay the foundation for a meaningful intervention.
“The study reports in themselves are not an end but a means to an end in the sense that the main goal is to form the foundation for the development of a comprehensive National Action Plan on Small Arms and Light Weans which is the next stage. It is hoped that the National Action Plan when developed, would feed into the development objectives of The Gambia,” he said.
Also speaking at the occasion, Mr. Mohamed Coulibaly, ECOSAP programme manager noted that the negative impact of illicit spread and use of SALWs has become a global problem and for Africa it has contributed to fueling conflicts and armed violence.
He also said that the ECOWAS Convention on SALWs, which is one of the most restrictive legal instruments in the world, came into force in September 2009 after the 9th member state, Republic of Benin, deposited their instruments of ratification. He added that the next crucial step lies in the hands of member states to implement the provisions of the convention at national levels while ECOWAS provides technical support for its operationalisation.
“So far 10 member states have ratified and deposited the instruments. Although the convention has come into force, it is the desire of ECOWAS Commission that the fifteen member states ratify the Convention as a demonstration of political will to fight the circulation of SALWs in the region. I am aware that the ratification of the Convention by The Gambia is in an advanced stage, I therefore, wish that The Gambia would be the 11th country to ratify and deposit their instrument.” He said.
Mr. Coulibaly revealed that a ministerial meeting was held in March 2010 by the ECOWAS Commission to consider and adopt the implementation of five (5) year priority activities presented by ECOWAS. He added that there were achievements in the areas of fighting terrorism, human trafficking, banditry and other activities.
Delivering the welcoming remarks, Mr. Ebrima Sama Corr, permanent secretary, ministry of the interior and NGO affairs said that although The Gambia continues to be immune from the catastrophes of armed conflicts and other related geo-political strife, it is important to be continuously aware of the fact that the due to its proximity to less stable neighbors in the sub-region could potentially make the country prone to the menace of small arms and light weapons proliferation. He said that this has made the need to get rid of these arms for the obvious benefit of creating an atmosphere of peace and sustainable development for this country.
Mr. Corr further noted that at the end of the validation, participants will be abreast of the situation of SALW in the country and also adequately deal with the challenges posed by small arms and light weapons proliferations within the ECOWAS sub-region on their quest to realize rapid socio-economic transformation and development.

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