WEST AFRICAN NGOs
CONSULTATION ON SMALL ARMS

Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria
October 29-30, 1998

list of particpants

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I. INTRODUCTION

The proliferation and misusage of small arms endanger the security of people and nations. Small Arms are the main weapons used in armed robberies, drug trafficking, gang fighting, intra and inter communal feuds, local wars, terrorism, the gross violation of human rights, subversion of constitutions, and in creating and maintaining a general state of fear and instability. These situations constitute obstacles to sustainable development and durable and genuine peace.

The misuse of small arms leads to serious physical and psychological wounds to large sections of the population, displacement of millions of people, the breaking up of families and communities, the collapse of economies and the destruction of the environment. The net effect is untold human sufferings which make women and children the worst victims.

Conflicts in Africa and especially in the West African sub-region soon take bloody and uncontrolled proportions because of the accessibility and availability of small arms. It is estimated that of the approximated fifty-five million small arms in circulation in the world, West Africa alone accounts for about eight million.

Conscious therefore of the danger which small arms pose to society, fifteen 15 NG0s from seven West African countries met in Abuja, the Federal Republic of Nigeria October 29 to 30, 1998 while the 21st Annual Summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was in progress. The timing was meant to dramatize the preparedness of civil society to work along with state authorities in tackling the serious problem of small arms.

The consultation benefited immensely from the profound contribution of the Former President of the Interim Government of Liberia (1990-1994) Professor Dr. Amos Sawyer who, in his key-note address, showed the linkage between underdevelopment, lack of democracy and injustice and violent conflicts.

Also making very useful contributions to the consultation were Sverre Lodgaard, Director of the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs and Ole Petter Sunde, Director of the Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers (NISAT) who shared relevant information on international efforts on small arms with particular reference to the Norwegian Initiative and West Africa.

The Advisor of the UNDP Office of Good Governance and Peace Building, Dr. Ivor Richard Fung brought to the consultation the interest and support of the United Nations system, especially the UNDP.

II. DECISIONS

After frank and very useful exchange of views, experiences and information, the participants decided to undertake multiple actions against the production/ manufacture, distribution, import, export, transfer, flow, proliferation and misuse of small arms in West Africa.

A. West African NGO Network

It was the view of participants that a West African NGO Network should be established on the following terms:

• The network will be a forum for the exchange of information, views, experiences and strategies in combating small arms and their effect as well as to work for the reduction of demand.
• The network should bring together national organizations that are working on or interested in the issues of combating small arms.
• To bring into effect the network, there should be a more representative conference of relevant West African NGOs as soon as possible.
• For the preparation of such a conference and other coordinational activities, the meeting agreed on the setting up a five-member Working Group to comprise; The Campaign for Good Governance (Sierra Leone), The Centre for Democratic Empowerment (Liberia), the African Strategic Peace Research Group (Nigeria), Mouvement National des Femmes Pour la Sauvegarde de la Paix et I'Unite Nationale (Mali) and ONG Femme et Famille (FEFAM) (Niger). The CGG and CEDE shall lead the efforts with the CGG as the convener.

B. The West African Moratorium

Participants discussed, endorsed and adopted the West African Moratorium on the import, export and manufacture of light weapons which arose from the initiative of President Alpha Oumar Konare of the Republic of Mali.

The participants in a special message to the Heads of State and Government of West African countries meeting in Abuja highly welcomed and commended the leaders for the decision to adopt and declare the said Moratorium.

The participants also expressed their profound and warm thanks to the Organization of African Unity, the United Nations, and countries and international NG0s with demonstrated interest in supporting the Moratorium.

Participants undertook to:

• Support and participate in the efforts of their home states in respect of the Moratorium and its effective implementation and monitoring;
• Put in place and participate in the drafting of an Action Plan for the fostering of a peace-culture in their respective countries;
• Establish a mechanism for the exchange of information on the issues of small arms with other African and international NG0s; and
• Give all round support to the efforts of ECOWAS Conflict Management Mechanism and the co-ordination of a concerted program of action on the Moratorium.

C. Action at the National Level

Participants undertook to ensure that their national organizations lead efforts for the creation/development of national constituencies of NGO s on small arms and carry out public information,sensitization and other forms of activities for the Moratorium and the reduction in the demand for small arms.

III APPRECIATION

At the end of the consultation, participants expressed appreciation to the following institutions and personalities:

• The Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfer (NISAT) for their very timely support that made the consultation possible.
• The UNDP especially its Governance and Peace Building outfit and the National Offices in West Africa with particular mention of the Mali Mission for their facilitation and other contributions to the success of the meeting;
• The President of Mali Alpha Oumar Konare was recognized in a special way by the consultation for initiating the proposal for a Moratorium and for his commitment to the cause of peace;
• The ECOWAS for adopting and declaring the Moratorium which is yet another historic landmark paralleling the creation of the West African Peace Keeping Force;
• The OAU, the UN and the entire international community for their unflinching support to the issue of the Moratorium; and
• Finally, participants thanked the African Strategic Peace Research Group of Nigeria for hosting the meeting in Abuja.

DONE AND ADOPTED BY THE PARTICIPANTS ON THURSDAY THE 30TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 1998 IN ABUJA, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.

For the organizers of the consultative meeting

Abdulai Bayraytay, Campaign for Good Governance, Sierra Leone—Rapporteur

Conmany B. Wesseh, Centre for Democratic Empowerment, Liberia