Second Minesterial examination conference of the Nairobi Decalaration concerning the problem of proliferation of light an dsmall caliber weapons in the Big Lake and Africa Horn region

20-21 April 2004 Nairobi, Kenya

"Progress and expectations of Regional and International Proceedings"

By Dr. AGNEKETHOM Pawoumotom
In charge of Research and Programs
Regional Centre of United Nations for Peace and Disarmament in Africa

Ministers

Mr. Coordinator of the Nairobi Secretariat

Ladies and Gentlemen Representatives of ONG

Ladies and Gentlemen Experts,

Bearing in mind the harmful effect of the illegal circulation of light and small caliber weapons, as well facing this problem in the best possible manner, are a matter of fact within this sub-region since the Nairobi Declaration of March 2000 was adopted.

The Regional Centre of the United Nations for Peace and Disarmament in Africa, is particularly proud of having been present at each important milestone of this implementation, especially during this Ministerial meeting, in the course of which two important points are to be adopted: The first one being ŤMinisterial Declaration for a possibility of action concerning light and small caliber armsť and the second in connection with ŤProtocol of Nairobi for the prevention, control and reduction of light and small caliber weapons in the Great Lake and Horn of Africa regionť.

At this important point in the implementation of the Nairobi Declaration, the Director of the Regional Centre of the United Nations for Peace and Disarmament in Africa would have wished to be personally present. Last minute changes in his time-table, however, made this impossible. He requested me to represent him, to share with you the ideas of the Regional Centre concerning ŤProgress and Expectations of Regional and International Proceedingsť within the scope of the fight against proliferation of light and small caliber weapons, it being understood that this anticipation will focus on an analysis of proceedings at United Nations level.

Adoption of a consensual structure in the fight on an international level

The action program of the United Nations for the prevention, fight and eradication of commerce in illegal light and small caliber arms in the full spectrum, a result of the very first conference of the United Nations concerning this matter, which was adopted in July 2001. This is, jointly, the end product of proceedings and the beginning of a concerned action at United Nations level.

By sending a fact finding mission to West Africa in 1994, the UN gave priority to the matter of light and small caliber arms on an international level. A Report submitted to the Secretary General of the Mission of Consultation, which went to Mali as a result of the President of Mali, mentioned three main conclusive points:

The global security situation in Mali would have to be improved, before a program of arms collection could be implemented.

The situation hindered socio-economic development, maintaining the infernal cycle of illegal light arms.

The situation in Mali is not unique and should be viewed in a sub-regional capacity.

It is known today, looking back, that it is this process which started with the Declaration of a Moratorium on import, export and manufacture of light arms within the Economic Community of West African States (ECWAS).

The United Nations showed their concern with this fight, by adopting, in December 1994, a resolution concerning ŤAssistance to States to stop illegal circulation, as well as the collecting, of light and small caliber weaponsť. In 1995, resolution 50/70B of the General Assembly on December 12th 1995, the UN adopted their first resolution on light and small caliber weapons. They requested the forming of a group of experts at governmental level, on light and small caliber weapons, the 1997 Report remaining a work of reference. Several initiatives followed on the General Assembly level and culminated in the July 2001 meeting in New York of a United Nations Conference concerning the illegal commerce in light and small caliber weapons in all its aspects.

Although the New York conference may be viewed as a result, the action program which resulted is a starting point of a concerted and consensual action in the fight against illegal dealing in light and small caliber weapons, defining strategies on a national, regional and international level. This action program is now the foundation within which all activities of the United Nations Department in Matters of Disarmament (UNDDA) to which the Regional Centre for peace and Disarmament in Africa is connected.

Rationalisation of the intervention of the Department for Disarmament Matters At the end of the New York conference, the steps initiated by the Department for Disarmament, which the Regional Centre is attempting to activate on a daily basis, facilitating implementation of an action program of the United Nations, on a national level. The diversity of measures noted in this program, made it necessary to select actions which would result in a positive fight against the proliferation of light and small caliber weapons, bearing in mind the limited financial resources.

From then on, the intervention and activities of the United Nations Department has targeted donations and/or reinforcement of capacities of the States where illegal proliferation of light and small caliber arms circulated illegally. This strategy was reinforced by various national reports, presented on the occasion of the first Conference for the examination of implementation of an action program by the United Nations to prevent, fight and eradicate the illegal proliferation of light and small caliber weapons. This conference took place on the 7th to 11th July 2003 in New York. It was underlined that although the fight against proliferation of light and small caliber weapons was implemented on a national level, great progress remained necessary for an efficient implementation of the United Nations program.

The main reason put forward by several States to justify the weaknesses appearing in the implementation of the above program, is a lack of financial and technical possibilities, i.e. little participation of contributors. As solid as this reason may be, one must add severe limitations due to lack of planning and of priority definitions.

Within the sphere of priorities accorded to strengthening of capacities of the States, interventions and activities of the United Nations Department for Disarmament Matters, target the following:

National administrative and legal procedures, governing matters of armament. Wherever it does not exist, regulations and legislation in this respect, has to be implemented, to sustain the struggle against light and small caliber weapons.

Management and security measures concerning stocks of weapons, to avoid the legal to become illegal;

Border control;

Elaboration of planning, on a national level, which will be realistic and work properly;

Reintegration of former fighters and reconciliation of communities of countries emerging from armed conflict.

A few perspectives......

Intervention and priority activities as defined by the United Nations Department, concerning initiatives in the fight against proliferation of light and small caliber weapons, being the influence of major evolutions in the fairly near future.

Within the scope of such major developments which might take place, we note the ever more pressing wish for a legislation which would control the market of light and small caliber arms. The International community would have to exert more pressure, in order to create a network of dispositions to stop this scourge. Thus one would meet up with what is already done in Africa and namely within the Development Community of Southern Africa (SADC) where a protocol is in existence, awaiting ratification within the framework of the Nairobi Protocol, for the prevention, control and limitation of light and small caliber weapons in the Great Lake and Horn of Africa regions.

Another possibility is to expect positive developments, in the near future, in the matter of promotion and transparency of the influx of weapons, once the Report of the group of Experts in the United Nations on marking and tracing of weapons, as well as various studies in this matter. Establishment of an international agreement on this difficult question of marking and tracing of light and small caliber weapons, would be a great help towards the eradication of such illegal weapons.

Finally, a great step forward would be taken, in the fairly near future, on ratification (forty ratifications are required) of the Protocol against manufacture and illegal movements of firearms, their components and ammunition, in addition to the Convention of anti-crime organisation, called United Nations Protocol on Firearms.

The application of this Protocol is narrower than that of the New York program, in view of the fact that it especially targets crime prevention and implementation of legislation, concentrating on trans-national crime committed by organised criminal groups, excluding State-to-State transactions and transfers by such States to secure their national security. Should dispositions foreseen by this Protocol be implemented, it would allow for a great many measures to regulate the manufacture and marketing of illegal firearms. Enforcement of such protocol which would be legally restrictive, would reinforce cooperation and exchange of information and thus, transparency in firearm deals. This would institute an international system for the control , manufacture and traffic in illegal arms, their components and ammunition.

Ministers,

Mr. Coordinator of the Nairobi Secretariat,

Ladies and Gentlemen, representatives of the ONG

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Experts,

I would like to close my speech, within this sub-region engaged in a dynamic fight against the proliferation of light and small caliber weapons, in underlining once more that the Regional Centre of the United Nations for Peace and Disarmament in Africa, is positively involved to maintain and reinforce their technical support to the States. This support is paired with a close collaboration between the Nairobi Secretariat and the Regional Centre, in order to avoid duplications , rationalise our interventions and share our experiences.

Under the Continental mandate which it has, the Regional Centre will, wherever possible, advocate such States of the sub-region, in their strategy of mobilising their resources and, equally, will give them the benefit of such projects it intends to execute within the sphere of the fight against the proliferation of light and small caliber weapons.

I thank you