By Sulaiman T Jalloh
In a landmark event held on March, 7th 2024 at the institution’s headquarters office situated at Old Defence building in Freetown, Sierra Leone Arms and Ammunition Commission has launched SLeCAA Act of No.24 of 2023.
This new Act mandates SierraLeone’s with the commitment to comply with the Arms and Trade Treaty with the avowed aim to strengthening arms control measures within our borders, promoting peace, and safeguarding the Wellbeing of our citizenry.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Commissioner of SLeCAA, Bineh Conteh, described the event as historic, further stating that since the establishment of SLeCAA by an act of Parliament 2010, the institution has made significant progress in terms of controlling the proliferation of Small Arms and light weapons and its illicit circulation throughout the country.
“Since the establishment of the Commission and with the support of our partners, SLeCAA has made a lot of achievements ranging from marking and destructions of weapons”, said the Commissioner, noting how the institution has made significant strides in constructing and rehabilitating armouries for the military and police, providing training to security personnel in armoury management and storekeeping, and issuance of firearms licenses to eligible civilians.
He also shed light on the Arms and Ammunition Act which was passed by parliament on 24th April, 2023 and signed by the President in June 2023, stating how “this is what we have gathered here to launch today”.
He categorically stated the reason for this Act which is for Sierra Leone to be fully ATT compliance member, putting it in an enviable position within the ECOWAS sub-region of becoming the second country after Liberia to have reviewed its national laws and harmonized its legislation.
He also averred that SierraLeone is the only country that has submitted its annual report to the Arms and Trade Treaty (ATT) Secretariat for 2023, for which the country has been acclaimed globally.
Moses. B. Miller, Chairman of the Advisory Committee of SLeCAA, in his statements, extended profound appreciations to the Commissioner and staff of the Commission for their display of hard work, perseverance, commitment and dedication in working closely with the Ministry of internal Affairs, the law officers Department and Parliament to get harmonization of SLeCAA Act No.6 of 2010 and the Arms and Ammunition Act, Act No.9 of 2012 into a single Act.
“This move is to deal with emerging challenges posed not only by small Arms and light weapons but also by conventional arms and their Ammunition as mandated by the new Act”, he disclosed, further revealing the role of the Commission which is to enhance physical security, safety, peace and development, and however, maintained the importance of such role which cannot be overemphasized.
Giving the keynote address, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Ms. Kenyeh Ballay, emphasised on SierraLeone’s compliance with the Arms and Trade Treaty that offers numerous benefits for SierraLeone, both domestically and internationally, aiming at promoting regional and international peace and stability.
The Minister stressed on the need for effective coordination and collaboration with key stakeholders including Government agencies, Civil Society organisations and international partners in the pursuit of common objectives related to arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation of arms and ammunition.
She spoke about the implementation of rigorous monitoring reporting and enforcement mechanism to prevent the illicit trafficking and diversion of weapons, which according to her, has helped to ensure transparency and accountability in the arms trade.
The Minister also reiterated the need to strengthen our partnership and collaborations with other states parties to the Arms and Trade Treaty and called on international organisations and civil society actors to join hands together in addressing emerging challenges related to illicit arms, trafficking, terrorism and organized crime.
She concluded by calling on all to work together to implement the new Act with diligence, dedication and determination.
“Together let us forge a path toward peace, security and prosperity for SierraLeone”, she concluded.
