Week of Action 15-19 June

Click on the links below to read more information and see photos about WoA events around the world:

Africa

Asia and the Pacific

Europe

Americas

Middle East and North Africa

AFRICA

Benin

*Media coverage

A press statement from West Africa Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA) was covered on the Canal 3 channel in Cotonou on 16 June. The statement invited the Benin government to hustle for a strong Arms Trade Treaty

Mariam Liehoun, national coordinator of the West Africa Action Network on Small Arms (Burkina Faso) interviewed by the press.

* Government will support the ATT

from Amnesty International (Burkina Faso) met Eric Tiare, General Director for Legal and Consular Affairs, on 15 June. He confirmed that Burkina Faso will support the ATT in the United Nations Open-ended Working Group in July.

*Radio interview on ATT

The National Radio of Burundi interviewed Jacques Ntabarikure, legal representative of Colonie des Pionniers du Développement, who stressed the importance of an Arms Trade Treaty. "We are convinced that the existence of an ATT would help reduce violence in Burundi and the world," Jacques said. And, speaking on Bonesha FM, he noted that illicit weapons are the root cause of the country's problems with violence, and the sense of insecurity in society. "In Burundi, an effective civil disarmament must be done!" he said. "And people must understand that peace and security are disturbed by illegally held weapons. They must adhere to the policy of no gun violence."

Cameroon

* Live TV discussion on war toys, banditry and the ATT

Cameroon Youths and Students Forum for Peace (CAMYOSFOP) held a live television discussion about violence and arms on Vision4 TV. The programme was anchored by Loveline Ngeh, with panellists Eugine Ngalim (Executive Director of CAMYOSFOP), Patience Elango (CAMYOSFOP Press and Information Secretary) and George Kome (teacher at Central Bilingual Primary School, Yaounde). The debate covered the impact of war toys, firecrackers, video games and violent films on violence in schools; women and violence; the firearms law of Cameroon; the ‘coupeur de route’ (road bandits) in the highways of the Grand North and the cities of Cameroon; sources of illegal weapons; the situation of Chadian and Central Africa Republic refugees hosted by Cameroon; and the UN Arms Trade Treaty. Click here to view the press statement.

* Submission to the SG is on the way
Eugine Ngalim, executive director of CAMYOSFOP called for the updating of firearms law when he appeared on the radio programme “Morning Safari” on 16 June. He stressed the deadly impact of weapons on security and development in Cameroon. Eugine also congratulated Cameroon MP Bujung James for signing the parliamentary declaration in support of the ATT.

*CAMYOSFOP held a working meeting with officials of the Ministry of External Relations on Cameroon’s submission on Armed Violence and Development and Cameroon’s participation in the UN Open-Ended Working Group on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), to be held in New York from July 13 -17. The group was assured that Cameroon has completed the required report for the UN Secretary General, and the document will soon be submitted to the UN. The officials also stressed that Cameroon’s government supports the ATT and will participate in the OEWG.  

*Press conference on ATT and development

CAMYOSFOP organised a press conference in Yaounde. The question and answer session highlighted the links between youth unemployment, development and the illicit proliferation and misuse of small arms. It also stressed how an effective Arms Trade Treaty would regulate the arms sector and significantly contribute to peace, security and development.

Côte d'Ivoire

* Survey on proliferation; ATT support

A debate was organised at the Pullman Hotel in Abidjan by the WAANSA-Côte d’Ivoire in Partnership with RJS and ECOSAP on 17 June. General Adjoussou Désiré, president of the Ivorian Commission against proliferation and illicit trade in small arms, said the Commission had compiled a national survey on the situation in the Ivory Coast. He also confirmed that the government is supporting the ATT.

* Government must support ATT
The Week of Action was featured in the Banjul Observer, Gambia’s national newspaper. The government must support a strong ATT at the discussions in New York next month, said West Africa Network for Peacebuilding’s Pamela Cole. Pamela stressed: “Our government must step forward now to argue for a tough arms trade treaty. Otherwise, the voice of less scrupulous countries will prevail, and dangerous arms transfers will continue unchecked”.

Ghana

* ATT in national media

Emmanuel Sowatey, a member of the National Peace Council in Ghana, urged the government in Ghana to actively promote a strong Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), in a prime-time breakfast interview for Unique FM, an English-language national radio station, on 15 June. He was also interviewed for an article in the Daily Graphic, the country’s largest-circulation newspaper. Three days earlier, Emmanuel promoted the Week of Action on Boss FM, an Akan-language regional radio station.

Guinea Bissau

* Government pledge on ECOWAS convention and ATT
A full week of events in Guinea-Bissau began with a meeting of WAANSA members on 15 June, followed by a press conference and a radio debate. On 18 June, members lobbied the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Communities. A full programme of sporting and cultural activities runs over the weekend.

Guinea Conakry

* Government pledge on ECOSAC convention and ATT
ABC Development and WAANSA Guinea took part in a discussion at Guinea Broadcasting on 17 June. They met Hadja Diafarou Djeng, who is in charge of arms and munitions at the Department of Homeland Security, and president of the national commission against the proliferation of light weapons and small arms. She affirmed the commitment of Guinea to ratify the ECOSAC regional convention and support the ATT.

Kenya

* Press conference urges ATT action
The Kenya Action Network on Small Arms (KANSA) held a press conference in Nairobi on 17 June to pressure the government to push for a strong Arms Trade Treaty. The event was organised by Umoja as One, PeaceNet and SRIC, arguing that a strong treaty would give the government better control over the flow of arms entering the country. Participants also urged the government to explore a diplomatic approach to avoid conflict with neighbouring Somalia. KANSA member Jan Kamenju called on the administration to implement the policies it has previously announced. Rev. Jules Renzano noted that more inclusive partnerships between government and civil society would help stem the increase of firearms in Kenya. The press conference received coverage in the Kenya Times, the Nairobi Star and the Taifa Leo.

Liberia

*Broadcasting the message despite stormy weather
Heavy thunderstorms in Liberia caused the postponement of a media round table discussion, but Liberians United to Expose Hidden Weapons had slots on national radio stations including UN radio, Sky FM, Star radio and Change FM on 15 June. The main focus was an ATT and calls for the government to further support the process.

* Lively meeting demands practical action on ATT
A crowd of more than 300 attended a meeting in Monrovia to discuss the ATT process, and the background to the treaty. The meeting was organised by Liberians United to Expose Hidden Weapons (LUEHW) in collaboration with the Center for the Exchange of Intellectual Opinions (CEIO). It discussed the emerging consensus on the treaty, its scope, and the criteria for regulating international arms transfers.

Over 300 people attended including participants from the Liberian National Commission on Small Arms (LiNCSA), Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY), Youth United for Development (YUD), Foundation for Democracy in Liberia (FDL), Tubmanburg Women Network (TWN), University professors and students, and Christian and Muslim clerics. There was a strong media presence including: Star Radio (Moses Wenyou), UN Radio (Jack Davis), Kings FM Radio (Darlington Pelenah and Ziamah Zigler), and The In-Profile Newspaper (Fredrick Gaye and Jacqueline Dennis). The meeting was followed by a media round-table.  
The meetings concluded with a set of demands: support for a comprehensive ATT during the OEWG meeting in July; A 'yes vote' for the next ATT resolution during the first Committee of the UNGA in October; and the appointment of a national focus person or group on the ATT.

* DDV and ATT
On 18 June Kerian N. Pelenah, Program Manager and ATT Coordinator of Liberians United to Expose Hidden Weapons (LUEHW) explained the importance of the Week of Action to Patience Guanu on UN Radio programme 'Coffee Break'. Kerian drew attention to two of this year's themes: the human toll of SALW proliferation and misuse, and the launch of the Disarm Domestic Violence Campaign.

Later, members of LUEHW organised outreach visits and discussions with various government ministries including the Ministry of National Defence and Ministry of Justice in Monrovia. They called on the Liberian government to support a comprehensive ATT based on the Global Principles for international arms transfers.