Accra, Nov. 5, GNA - The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Monday expressed indignation about the failure of governments to ratify the moratorium on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), which expires at the end of this month.

The sub-regional body urged governments to demonstrate their commitment to the ECOWAS Protocol relating to the Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution, Peace-keeping and Security signed in Lome on December 10, 1999.

The regional body in a statement issued in Abuja and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said ECOWAS tasked civil society to hold their governments accountable on their failure to control the illegal proliferation of small arms and light weapons.

The statement reminded governments of Article 58 of the revised ECOWAS Treaty relating to Regional Security, which stipulates that Member States undertake to work to safeguard and consolidate relations conducive to the maintenance of peace, stability and security within the region.

It also tasked governments to establish and strengthen appropriate mechanisms for the timely prevention and resolution of conflicts as well as Article 77 of the Treaty relating to sanctions applicable in cases where a Member State fails to fulfill its obligations to the Community. The statement also commended The Gambia for demonstrating its commitment to the ratification of the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons.

Dr. Aisatou Mjie Faiby, Vice-President of the Gambia was quoted as expressing the commitment of the government to the quick ratification of the ECOWAS Convention on Small arms and Light Weapons.

The Gambian Vice President gave the assurance during interaction with the ECOWAS Commission delegation led by Gen. Charles Okae (rtd), which was on a tour of member states.

The Gambian Minister of the Interior, Mr. Ousman Sonko thanked ECOWAS for the support it had given through its Small Arms Programme (ECOSAP) through the supply of a project vehicle to facilitate work on issues of SALW and the funding of the Small Arms Survey. He also acknowledged the active role of civil society represented by West African Network on Peace building (WANEP) with the arms for project initiative among other things.

On the establishment of the Gambian National Commission on small arms, the minister said the cabinet paper had been approved. According to the statement, Gen. Okae reminded the member states that the Moratorium expires this month and the objective of the mission was to consult with governments and other stakeholders on how the Gambia would be one of the first nine member states to ratify the Convention before the end of the year.

The Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, Col. Masaneh Kinteh said Gambia had enjoyed stability but that the issue of SALW was very important considering the security situation in some of its neighbouring states. He expressed support for the ratification and commitment to the implementation of the Convention. 05 Nov. 07