The Ministry of the Interior in partnership with the ECOWAS Small Arms and Light Weapons Programme (ECOSAP), last Tuesday began a two-day meeting on ECOSAP Cluster "A" review and planning for national commissions on small arms and light weapons, held at the Jerma Beach Hotel in Kololi.

The meeting which comprised of delegates from Cape Verde, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau and The Gambia, is organized within the framework of the sub-regional initiative, spearheaded by ECOSAP to regulate and control the proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) in the West Africa sub-region.

In his keynote address, Hon. Ousman Sonko, minister of Interior, who was represented by Sheriff Gomez, minister of Youth and Sport, described the meeting as a clear demonstration of their mutual desire to curb the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and to control and eradicate armed violence in the sub-region, with a view to engendering an enabling environment for sustainable development for the citizenry.

He recalled that member states were mandated to legally establish national commissions dedicated to the fight against the illicit proliferation and circulation of small arms and light weapons. "In this regard, I wish to inform the meeting that this process has been successfully completed in The Gambia with the ratification of the NATCOM Bill by the National Assembly and its subsequent assent by His Excellency, the President. It is my ardent hope that full operationalisation of NATCOM will fellow suit with support from ECOSAP and our partners," Minister Sonko noted.

He added that they are delighted that the meeting is taking place at a time when most of West Africa is taking a turning point in addressing the socio-economic and political problems that have overwhelmed the region as a result of armed violence, civil unrests and political strife. He further expressed hope that the gathering will serve as a source of collective efforts towards the promotion of a culture of peace and security that will enhance sustainable development, fruitful investments and the total well-being of the people in the sub-region.

For his part, Maudo Touray, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Interior, who doubles as the chairman of NATCOM, stated that the proliferation of small arms and light weapons is a hindrance to peace and stability, which are prerequisites for development and prosperity. Touray noted that even though The Gambia has not had any direct experience of the trauma of armed conflicts, it has at least heard and seen the disastrous consequences such social ills can have. According to him, the Government of The Gambia, in cognizance of such negative consequences, has taken giant strides in partnership with countries in the sub-region, civil society and international partners to curb the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.

Ms Sirra Horeja Ndow, programme analyst at the UNDP Gambia office, also described the proliferation of small arms and light weapons as a serious threat to peace, stability and security. Therefore, she said, such a laudable sub-regional initiative geared towards better regulation, control and management of small arms and light weapons is highly commendable. "This calls for our collective responsibility towards the promotion of a culture of peace and security that will enhance sustainable development and create the enabling environment for the attainment of the MDGs in the sub-region", she concluded.