The Small Arms Division of ECOWAS, has called on the governments of the various member states to support the National Commissions on Small Arms to fully perform their roles in fighting arms proliferation in the region.

This call was made in the recent webinar hosted by the Foundation for Security and Development in Africa in collaboration with the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) and the West African Network on Small Arms (WAANSA) to discuss the implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons (UNPOA).

Speaking on behalf of the Commission, Mr. Abayomi Nicholas Adeomi emphasized that equipping the National Commissions with the necessary resources is crucial, especially if we can effectively fight against arms proliferation in the region.

Currently, many national commissions are under -resourced and unable to fully perform their roles. This hampers their ability to effectively coordinate national efforts, enforce regulations, and engage in regional collaborations.

Reiterating the call, Mr. Adeomi stated that” with the right resources, the National Commissions on Small Arms could significantly enhance their efforts to combat arms proliferation in their respective countries and the region as a whole” .