By Sorie Ibrahim Fofanah
The Commissioner of the Sierra Leone Commission on Arms and Ammunition, (SLeCAA), Binneh K. Conteh says Sierra Leone is the “only” country that has submitted its annual report to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) Secretariat for 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Conteh made this statement at the launch of the Sierra Leone Commission on Arms and Ammunition Act No. 24 of 2023 at its Freetown Office on 7th March.
The submission of the annual report to the ATT has earned Sierra Leone global recognition at the Working Groups Meetings of the 10th Conference of States Parties to the ATT Preparatory Process held in Geneva, the Commissioner said.
He recalled the signing of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) by Sierra Leone, on 25th September 2023- the first global and international instrument that regulates international trade in conventional arms.
Due to the limitation of the Sierra Leone National Commission on Small Arms’s (SLeNCSA) mandate, which was the focal point for ATT implementation in Sierra Leone on small and light weapons, Sierra Leone could not legally and fully implement the ATT, the Commissioner maintained.
He said the new act would enable Sierra Leone to be ATT compliant, becoming the second country, after Liberia to have reviewed its national laws on arms and ammunition, with the country having met its financial reporting and obligations to the ATT since 2015.
“As the Commission repositions itself under its new Act and name, with renewed vigour and enthusiasm to deal with emerging challenges posed not only by Small Arms and Light weapons but also conventional arms and ammunition, as mandated by the new Act,” the Chairman of the Advisory Committee for SLeCAA, Moses B. Miller reaffirmed the commitment of his committee in addressing the challenges of the Commission at the end of this year.
The role of the commission is to ensure physical security, safety, peace, and development, Miller added.
In her statement, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Kenyeh Ballay noted that strengthening arms control will promote peace and stability, and safeguard the well-being of the citizens.
She said repealing the SLeNSA Act 2013 shows the government’s dedication to upholding the principles of arms control practices within the country.
With the new legislation in the new act, Ballay said Sierra Leone commits to preventing the illicit trade in conventional arms and ammunition, and that arms transfers do not contribute to human suffering.
Ensuring arms control in line with international standards reduces the risk of armed violence and conflict, she added. “Sierra Leone’s compliance with the Arms Trade Treaty offers numerous benefits for Sierra Leone, both nationally and internationally,” Ballay said.
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