By Sorie Ibrahim Fofanah
The Sierra Leone Commission on Arms and Ammunition (SLeCAA) has in a press release dated 1st September this year confirmed that there are 377unlicensed local gun manufacturers and repairers as per survey conducted in 2020.
Of the total unlicensed gun manufacturers and repairers, 138 are local gun producers and 239 repairers, and according to the release, these illegal manufacturers of shotguns are a threat to the security of the country by contributing to the illegal ‘’proliferation’’ of small arms and ammunition.
Speaking to Politico, the Commissioner of SLeCCA), Binneh K. Conteh said they have identified the illegal gun manufacturers throughout the country, asserting that they now have records of them. From the survey conducted, the commissioner said they now know the locations of all the identified manufacturers in all the regions.
He said they are collaborating with traditional leaders and law enforcement agencies to aid them by monitoring their communities regarding those engaged in the illegal act of producing guns. ’’So there is that collaborative aspect. It is not a story,’’ Conteh said.
He stated that the information collected has been validated, and a Report containing details of those who wanted to continue or not with the trade, presented to the national authorities.
Conteh said the current commission is the first to come up with such a report, and that their development partners are keen to know which kind of alternative livelihood support the commission can provide to those manufacturers of mostly shotguns.
Conteh said the government is working on implementing the right approach on knowing what to do.
He recalled his visit to Geneva, Switzerland where he explained to partners how small weapons are made by individuals back home, unlike his host country which manufactures big weapons, and of efforts by the government of Sierra Leone to offer the blacksmiths “alternative trade’’.
The commissioner said anyone who is caught in the act of gun production will be imprisoned.
SLeCCA was initially named National Commission on Small Arms.It was established by an Act of Parliament in 2010 to regulate the manufacture, safe, possession and use of small arms and light weapons. Section 32 subsection 1 of the SLeCCAA Act of 2023 mandates the commission to regulate the manufacture and sale of guns in Sierra Leone.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (06/09/23)
