PRESS RELEASE

STATEMENT BY CHIEF ARTHUR C. I. MBANEFO, AMBASSADOR/PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF NIGERIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS AT THE SECURITY COUNCIL ON SMALL ARMS: THREATS TO PEACE AND SECURITY IN WEST AFRICA - NEW YORK

18 MARCH 2003

 

Mr. President,

I wish to thank you on behalf of the Nigerian delegation for your initiative in organizing this important Workshop. It affords the Security Council an excellent opportunity to fully address the menace posed by small arms in West Africa. We look forward to a successful and fruitful conclusion of the Workshop under your able guidance.

Mr. President,

The problem of illicit trade in small arms and light weapons is of particular concern to Nigeria because it constitutes a major impediment to peace, stability, security and economic development of many developing countries especially in Africa. These arms continue to have devastating consequences on the African continent considering their capacity to fuel, intensify and prolong conflicts. You are, no doubt, aware of the millions of lives lost as well as the humanitarian crisis created in the region as a result of their illicit use. I need not mention the destruction, in catastrophic proportions, of economic and social infrastructure in the continent as direct results of the illicit use of these weapons. We know how long and how expensive it often is to put up such structures.

The West African sub-region has more than a fair share of these conflicts. These conflicts have been fueled by illicit and free circulation of these weapons in the sub-region.

The greatest difficulty in the control of the proliferation of small arms is the fact of its easy accessibility to non-State actors. This was an issue that dogged the outcome of the General Assembly debate on small arms and light weapons in 2001. My delegation, therefore, believes that for an adequate and effective control of the proliferation of this class of weapons, efforts must be made to legally control the sale of these weapons to non-State actors.

Illicit trade in small arms has always obstructed the implementation of arms embargoes imposed by the Security Council. The recent establishment of independent panel of experts and monitoring mechanisms by the Council to promote compliance with arms embargoes is welcome.

While in West Africa, this measure will be useful in controlling the illegal cross-border movement of small arms into conflict areas, it, however, is ineffective in controlling and eliminating those arms that are already inside the areas of conflict. We, therefore, emphasize the need for effective DDR programmes mandates which include weapons collection, disposal and destruction.

In order to trace the flow of small arms and light weapons from source, it is necessary to identify points of diversion into illicit networks. Tracing the movement of these weapons will help to promote awareness and accountability in arms transfers and will deter their illicit transfer to non-State actors. We welcome the recommendation of the Secretary-General to develop an international instrument to enable states to identify and trace illicit small arms and light weapons that enter their countries in order to effectively control such inflows. We hope that the on-going work of Group of Experts on tracing small arms will ultimately lead to a legally-binding international agreement on the subject.

As an additional measure in ensuring success in this regard, it is important that licensed manufacturers apply appropriate and reliable marking on each small arm and light weapon as an integral part of the production process, as stipulated in the Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light weapons. Efforts should be put in place to ensure that the UN Protocol Against Manufacturing and Trafficking in Firearms, which was successfully concluded in 2001, will complement the Programme of Action in this vital area, when it enters into force.

Mr. President,

Recent studies have shown that arms brokering plays a significant role in illicit arms trade. The establishment of an effective international regime to control the practice has, therefore, become necessary. We call on member States to fully abide by their commitment to enhance international cooperation and exchange of information as a prelude to the establishment of such a regime. This position was underscored in the 2000 Bamako Ministerial Declaration containing Africa’s common position on small arms.

This is connected with the issue of licensing and end-user controls. We believe that developing effective national, regional and international controls on export licensing and end use are crucial elements in ensuring that this trade remains under government control and is not diverted to illicit markets or end users. In this regard, my delegation urges the Security Council to encourage States that have not already done so to introduce the use of authenticated end-user certificates as a means of monitoring the export and transit of small arms.

It is equally important for the council to intensify efforts in investigating and identifying the link between illicit trade in small arms and light weapons and the illicit exploitation of natural and other resources. The determination of this linkage and efforts to control the use of the proceeds of illegal resources to fund illicit arms trade has significantly brought the conflicts in the West African sub-region to a successful end. Such investigation should of necessity apply to all areas of conflict in the West African sub-region where there are often inter-linkages between one conflict situation and another.

Mr. President,

The ECOWAS Moratorium on the Importation, Exportation and Manufacture of Small Arms and Light Weapons in West Africa has been in existence since 1998 following its renewal two years ago. ECOWAS Member States will continue their best effort to ensure the success of the moratorium. It is unfortunate that conflict situations have persisted in the West African sub-region in spite of the moratorium. ECOWAS Member States need the cooperation of the international community to implement the Moratorium. My delegation, therefore, wishes to, once again, call on the international community to support the implementation of the Moratorium. In order to succeed, it is important that the Moratorium is fully respected by all States, both within and outside the sub-region. We also urge other regions to follow the example of ECOWAS by imposing similar moratorium in their respective regions.

Mr. President,

Nigeria has always believed in conflict prevention measures and pursuit of negotiated solution to conflicts as most effective means of solving the small arms problem. The international community should pay particular attention to the need for adoption of these measures as best strategies for peace. Connected to this is the need for the creation of good political atmosphere that will enhance harmonious relationship and a sense of belonging in our countries. Emphasis in this regard should be on promoting structures and processes that strengthen democracy, human rights, rule of law and good governance as well as economic recovery and growth as means of eliminating conflicts and guaranteeing durable peace. The task of the Security Council in this regard is quite enormous and calls for genuine commitment and concerted action on the part of the Council.

Mr. President,

I cannot conclude this statement without expressing our gratitude to the Secretary-General for his bold initiative in establishing the Coordinating Action on Small Arms (CASA) as a mechanism for harmonization of activities of UN agencies to promote the implementation of the Programme of Action. CASA has a special role to play in promoting and coordinating assistance to West African States, especially those most severely affected by small arms proliferation. We also note, with satisfaction, the recent establishment of Small Arms Advisory Service (SAAS) to provide advisory services and formulate programmes on small arms for implementation. As these two bodies rely on extra-budgetary resources to fund their activities, we call on member States in a position to do so to make voluntary contributions to them to enable them fulfill their mandates.

 

I thank you.

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