Communiqué sur le PSR/ALPC, Sub-Regional Arms Project Meeting Kicks-Off Zoby

Four West African countries implementing the Sub-regional Project on Small Arms and Light Weapons, yesterday started a meeting to assess and evaluate their programme of activities at the Corinthia Atlantic Hotel in Banjul.

About 30 representaives from Guinea Conakry, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, and The Gambia, including delegates from CECI, Oxfam- UK, are attending the three-day sub-regional meeting that will also create the platform for the four countries to plan their programme of activities for the second year running (April 2006 to March 2007).

The meeting was preceded by the country monitoring evaluation missions and meetings conducted in each of the four participating countries.

The four-member states project is funded as part of the Canadian-Initative West Africa for peace and security. It is under the Canadian Fund for Africa, which has been set up to support the commitment made in the G8 Action Plan for Africa and the Nepad.

Delivering her opening statement, Ndey Njie, the NAM for Lower Saloum, blamed the spread of small arms and light weapons in the sub-region on the Sierra Leone and Liberia armed conflicts, as well as the ongoing conflicts in Casamance and Cote d’Ivoire.

However, Ms Njie opined that none of these countries manufacture "lethal weapons", and then said : "The extent of of havoc caused, and loss of lives associated with the spread of these weapons are undoubtedly incalculable."

Hon Njie observed that the circulation of arms within borders present "major human rights problems in the subregion. In countries where tensions are high, weapons availability are at risk."

She added : "The spread and misuse of small arms help foil conflict, and conflict generates a market for more weapons. Mercenaries and arms traffickers make a tidy profit off their trades and combatants can often count on outside support to finance their wars. But it is the civilians who ultimately pay the price."

The Lower Saloum Parliamentarian, Ndey Njie called on the need for people to strive to undo the "deadly dynamic" that has consumed much of the sub-region.

Pamela Cole, Director of the West African Network for Peace-building (Wanep)- The Gambia said the meeting will discuss the "successes, constraints, and risks within the various contexts at local, national, and regional levels as part of the monitoring and evaluation process."

She pointed out the need to curb the proliferation and circulation of illicit small arms and light weapons in the sub-region and raise the awareness of communities, saying "this is evident, considering the instability in the sub-region as a result of arm conflict."

Ms Cole observed that The Gambia is located in a "turbulent" region, where violent conflict is endemic. She added : "It is a necessity for The Gambia to embark on preventive measures for sustainable peace."

However, she noted that The Gambia has "never experienced armed" conflict and then said : "The project is therefore geared towards security linked with development." By Alieu Badara Ceesay
The Daily Observer (Banjul)
NEWS
May 17, 2006

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