Email Louise Rimmer (IANSA Communications Officer) for the contact details for the organisers of these events.
Africa
The PanAfrican Press Association published an article calling on the French government to make the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports legally binding during the French presidency of the EU. Participating NGO countries include Senegal, Chad, Uganda, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, South Africa, Malawi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Ghana, working in partnership with Oxfam France.
Burkina Faso
The President of the National Assembly agreed to distribute the Parliamentarians’ Declaration for an ATT to 111 deputies of the National Assembly following extensive lobbying by members of the West African Action Network on Small Arms (WANSA).
Three cities with high gun crime and homicide rates – Manga, Bobo-Dioulasso and Fada-N’gouram – were chosen to host discussions on the how Burkina Faso must amend its gun legislation in line with ECOWAS convention. Around 50 people participated, included city governors, arms dealers and NGO representatives. The discussions were covered in national newspapers and local radio stations.
Burundi
* Collection of testimonies from female gun victims
DAGROPASS organised a collection of testimonies from women who have been affected by armed violence. Fourteen survivors from the Bubanza province took part in the event, which attracted over 100 passers-by. Click here for photos.
* Radio interviews to launch the Week of Action
The Week of Action started in Burundi with two interviews with IANSA director Rebecca Peters on Radio Culture and Radio Bonesha. During the interview, Rebecca explained that the aim of the Week was to highlight the problem of armed violence in Burundi itself as well as Burundi’s contribution to the UN process on the Arms Trade Treaty. Bonne Generation coordinator, Aynaki Moksi, also gave an interview on Radio Culture on Tuesday, during which he argued for greater controls on small arms.
* Meeting with parliamentarians
Bonne Generation, ITEKA League, APDHD, ACC and ALP organised a meeting with parliamentarians and government officials to discuss effective national arms control. Delegates included a representative of the National Commission on small arms. Aynaki Moksi spoke about ways to strengthen arms control including an ATT, gun destructions and strengthening the firearm law. Several press and radio journalists attended. Click here for photos.
Cameroon
* School presentation on national gun law
Over 70 students and teachers attended a presentation on 2 June on the national arms legislation of Cameroon and the Presidential decree on arms circulation. The event was organised by World Dynamics (WD) at the Mvogdtsi School. Students were offered the opportunity to ask questions and express their opinions about their country’s arms legislation. WD also displayed its own campaign poster at the event to promote the Week of Action and raise awareness amongst the youth.
* Radio and TV awareness campaign
Women in Alternative Action launched a widespread media campaign to raise awareness about the Week of Action. On 2 June interviews were held on three radio station, Satellite SN, TCB and Siantou and on 3 June WAA spoke about the campaign on the TV station, CRTV. A roundtable conference was also held to discuss gun violence with approximately 40 participants from civil society as well as parliamentarians.
* Roundtable conference with police and military
Women in Alternative Action continued their activities with a roundtable conference on the proliferation of small arms in Cameroon. Recommendations were drafted on how to reform the national gun legislation and promote human rights. Participants included members from the police force, military, NGOs and the Ministry of External Relations.
* Radio and tv shows
CAMYOSFOP and Women in Alternative Action (WAA) joined forces to appear on a radio program with CRTV on 3 June. Eugene Ngalim from CAMYOSFOP was later interviewed by state TV, Radio Reine and Campus radio on proposed revisions to the gun law and the Parliamentary Declaration on the ATT.
Later a panel discussion was held with the Vice President of the National Assembly, the Chairman of the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms, the Rector of the Central African Protestant University and the Africa-French Summit Youth Spokesperson. Topics included small arms proliferation in Cameroon and the role of policy makers in helping to curb it. Among the many proposals discussed, ideas were exchanged on implementing peace education programs in schools.
* Documentary screening
On 4 June Eugine Ngalim, director of CAMYOSFOP, delivered a speech in Yaounde on the work on small arms proliferation by civil society . The speech was followed by a screening of the documentary “Let’s Talk Peace” and discussion.
* World Dynamics reach 3000 worshippers in churches
World Dynamics of Young People continued to display the ‘one gun in the hands of a civilian brings insecurity to the entire nation’ poster in Yaounde churches. WDYP gave talks to youth group leaders and disseminated a manifesto calling for action on small arms to churches in the area, reaching an estimated 3000+ worshippers. Members then took their message from the pulpit to the radio studio, where they spoke live on Satellite FM.
* Workshops on cooperation with police
Women in Alternative Action organised several workshops at the Cameroon Bilingual Centre for Information Technology and Consultancy (CITEC) on 5-6 June. Participants discussed existing security measures and recommended closer collaboration between civil society and law enforcers to strengthen arms control.
Congo, Democratic Republic
* Radio phone-in to experts
RODHECIC, OFEDICO and TOGE NOIRE collaborated on a radio programme which was broadcast on Radio 7 in Kinshasa. The programme encouraged the public to learn more about small arms by inviting listeners to call in and direct their questions to experts. Listeners were also invited to share stories about their own experiences with guns. More than 25 listeners took part in the discussion. RODHECIC also raised awareness about the Week of Action with an interview on Radio National Congolaise (RTNC), covering the aims of the campaign and forthcoming events.
* Radio awareness and participation of local leaders
AVEVENA also launched the Week through media awareness. Three radio stations, Radio Okapi, Digitial Radio Congo and Lemera, broadcast messages supporting the campaign and calling for public participation in the fight against small arms. AVEVENA also engaged local community leaders and authorities as participants in the Week of Action.
* Secondary school awareness campaign
Avosco launched an awareness campaign for secondary schools in the region of Sake, informing students about the dangers of small arms proliferation and the importance of arms control. The campaign will be extended to several other regions including Bweremana and Minova throughout the week.
* Workshop on civilian ownership of small arms
RODHECIC held a workshop for 150 women on 4 June on the dangers of guns in the home and the need for stronger controls on guns held by civilians. The workshop emphasised women’s role as educators within their families. The event gained was covered by two newspapers, La Référence Plus and l’Observateur.
* Explaining the ATT on national TV
Securitas Congo appeared on Radio Television Group Avenir (RTGA) on 8 June to talk about how an ATT could reduce small arms proliferation in the region. Security Sector Reform Expert Missak Kasongo and Programme Coodinator Augustine Vaweka gave interviews.
* Civilians talk about police misuse of guns
Citizens of Kinseso were invited to share their experiences of gun violence with their Mayor and the deputy commander of the police in an open forum organised by RODHECIC. Despite an initial reluctance, participants demonstrated enormous courage when they shared stories of soldiers and police who misuse their power to intimidate civilians and commit robbery and armed violence. Recommendations were made to increase the number of staff in the local police force and provide training for local chiefs.
* Invest in arms destruction, says civil society
Afia-fev in DRC called attention to the government’s responsibility to invest more in the destruction of weapons during an interview on Radio Maendeleo on 8 June. The organisation also raised the need for more patrols and curfews to improve security. Radio Réhema and Iriba FM radio also took note of the Week of Action and highlighted the issue of the illicit circulation of small arms in the country
Côte d’Ivoire
The Week of Action and the call for a stronger ATT received national media coverage. Media coverage included Fraternité Matin and Abidjan.Net.
Ghana
Emmanuel Sowatey gave radio interviews in English and on local language radio stations in the days running up the Week, so the national media was already fully briefed to promote the Week. These interviews were broadcast on Citi FM and Adom FM (both 21 May), Skypower (23 May) and Unique FM (27 and 29 May).
On 2 June, Emmanuel was interviewed on radio stations Joy FM and Sky FM. Emmanuel is also featured in the 4 June edition of the Daily Graphic, the country's major newspaper.
* WAANSA president on radio show
The President of the West African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA), Baffour Amoa, appeared on GBC Radio News on Friday 6 June to discuss global and regional initiatives against gun violence.
Guinea
West Africa Network of Peacebuilding (WANEP) visited a school in Ratoma which has introduced peace-keeping and conflict resolution into the teaching curriculum. WANEP gave a presentation on small arms to over 100 students as an introduction to the issue.
Guinea Bissau
The Guinea Bissau National Commission on small arms gathered members of security and defence forces as well as civil society organisations to discuss the causes of armed violence on 6 June. A debate on national radio was also organised to discuss actions that are currently in place to combat the use of small arms. The secretary of NatCom, a lieutenant from the Ministry of Interior and the coordinator of the national disarmament network all participated in the debate.
Kenya
* Radio talk show
Representatives from KANSA participated in a radio talk show on Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) on 6 June. The discussion involved peacebuilding initiatives, the impact of small arms proliferation, and national legislation. People were encouraged to phone in and express their views about illegal gun possession and use. Participants included Mutuku Nguli, the Chief Executive Officer of PeaceNet-Kenya, Jan Kamenju, the Director of Security Research and Information Center (SRIC), and Jules Renzano, a campaigner from Umoja as One. Media coverage of the Week of Action included IRIN.
* Communities come together at disarmament forums
District Peace Committees in the West Pokot and North Pokot districts of the Rift Valley organised two discussion forums on Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5.The discussions focussed on disarmament and the causes of illicit arms trade in Kenya. Participants included women, young people and elders from several communities.
* Daily report onTV during the Week of Action
The recent shootings in the Pokot district were highlighted on national TV by Jules Renzano, director of Umoja as One. Mr Renzano appeared on Channel 1 of KBC at the same time every day during the Week of Action. Mr Renzano also referred to the high-profile shootings of MPs in the Pokot region. He said guns were thought be coming from DRC, Somalia and Sudan, and being exchanged for food or shelter by refugees. Umoja members donated clothes and food to women survivors in areas particularly affected by gun violence. The women also discussed community reconciliation and counselling opportunities with direct survivors and those affected by male death and injury. Umoja made an urgent call for disarmament and dialogue.
Liberia
* Campaigning at church and the football field
On the weekend (31 May - 1 June) the Liberia Action Network on Small Arms visited churches to recruit support for the campaign against small arms. Congregations offered prayers of peace in honour of the cause. LANSA also distributed 1500 flyers in support of an ATT at a football match between Liberia and Gambia. LANSA later met with Richard Saa Gborlie, chair of the Parliament’s Committee on Security, to discuss the committee’s approach to an ATT. Throughout the week, LANSA also organised radio station discussions on the importance of small arms control, which were broadcast in local dialects.
* LANSA meets school authorities on anti-gun messages in schools
Local authorities were urged by LANSA to include lessons on the effects of armed violence and crime in the school curriculum. LANSA members visited school heads during the week to stress the effects of gun violence on young people’s education. LANSA then spoke to students directly in schools in Gbarnga in the Borg County and explained national and international laws on small arms.
* Public forum at IDP camp
Liberians United to Expose Hidden Weapons (LUEHW) called on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to take responsibility for the implementation of national and international arms control after expressing concerns over the lack of progress that has been made to curb armed violence in Liberia. LUEHW stressed the important role that civil society must play in monitoring development of arms legislation. The call to action was made during a public forum discussion held at Wilson Camp, a former internally displaced people’s camp in the county of Montserrado. LUEHW's Secretary-General, Kerian N. Pelenah, the chairman of the Wilson Camp, Stephen Musa, and youth leader, Arthur Johnson were among speakers who addressed an audience of 300 people including community leaders, women and youth.
Malawi
* MPs sign Parliamentarians’ Declaration
PEFENAP members took the week of action message to the heart of the Malawian government on Monday, when they collected over 10 parliamentarian’s signatures in the Chamber of Parliament in Lilongwe. The signatures were added to the Global Parliamentarian’s Declaration in support of the Arms Trade Treaty. Parliamentarians were given IANSA leaflets, badges and stickers.
* Call for SADC Moratorium on arms transfers to Zimbabwe
Civil society groups joined their colleagues across the South African Development Community (SADC) region in the call for an immediate moratorium on arms transfers to Zimbabwe. On 5 June the Nyasa Times published details of the moratorium and the international petition ‘Stop the Zimbabwe weapons shipment’ which now has 110,000 signatures. The petition was launched by IANSA and Avaaz.org in protest at the attempted delivery of arms to Zimbabwe via SADC states in April. Media coverage included the Nyasa Times.
Mali
Control Arms campaigners met with the Parliamentary Commission of Defence and Security on 5 June, and presented the parliamentarian’s declaration in support of an ATT. The Commission agreed to distribute the declaration to all parliamentarians, and agreed to play a friendly football match against the campaigners. Amnesty International Mali was closely involved in this activity. Several radio stations broadcast interviews with Amadou Maiga of the Network of Journalists for Security and Development in West Africa (RJSDAO) throughout the Week.
Namibia
* Primary school visit raises awareness on gun crime
Breaking the Wall of Silence (BWS) in Namibia visited St Barnabas primary school on 2 June to raise awareness on gun crime in the country. Campaigners spoke to teachers and discussed the need for gun-free zones in the community, which will be followed with media coverage later in the week.
* Primary school will become gun-free zone
Breaking the Wall of Silence (BWS) continued to highlight the importance of gun-free zones in primary schools, by addressing school pupils. The awareness-raising was also aimed at teachers, since many of them own guns themselves. As a result, the principal agreed to declare the school a gun-free institution on 16 June. Because this date is the International Day of the African Child, the event is likely to receive good media coverage.
* Call for SADC Moratorium on arms transfers to Zimbabwe
Civil society groups called for a called for a SADC moratorium on arms transfers to Zimbabwe when they delivered a petition of 110,000 signatures to Parliament on 5 June. The event was covered in national media including The Namibian newspaper and AllAfrica.com.
Niger
The Niger Action Network against Small Arms held a peace march in the capital Niamey on 2 June, with participants carrying messages against violence.
In an exceptional effort to foster peace and reconciliation, a friendly football match was held at Niamey’s military stadium between members of the defence forces and former combatants. The match was organised by the national disarmament network.
Nigeria
* Schoolchildren given talk on gun control
Teachers and schoolchildren in Lagos heard a presentation on the health and economic impacts of gun proliferation. The talks were delivered on 4 June to 100 students at Saint Paul's School and 60 students at Kosofe Junior College. They were given by Emmanuel Eduru from the Youth for Peace project and IPPNW-Nigeria. Read the report here. The website Leadership Nigeria covered the events.
* Meeting with Senate Committee and NatCom
The Nigeria Action Network on Small Arms (NANSA) organised a series of advocacy activities against arms proliferation. On 3 June, representatives from NANSA met with Umaru Dahiru, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, and Charles Bala, the Secretary of the Senate Committee. They also visited Air Commodore D.J. Otaru, Chairman of the National Commission on Small Arms (NATCOM), to discuss the national situation. Mr. Dickson Orji , NANSA’s National Coordinator later addressed a press conference with Florella Hazeley from the West Africa Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA). On 4 June, both activists were interviewed on national radio. They called on the government to ratify the ECOWAS Convention on small arms, and promoted support for an ATT.
* Innovative recommendations to reduce gun violence
New, comprehensive approaches to gun violence were discussed at a roundtable organised by the Pan-African Strategic and Policy Research Group (PANAFSTRAG) Participants agreed that current mechanisms had largely proved ineffective and produced seven recommendations for future solutions. One of these was the establishment of specials courts and police units, whose remit would focus exclusively on small arms. There were proposals to lobby film regulators on the influence of gun violence in popular films, and a ban on domestic and imported toy guns was suggested. Finally PANAFSTRAG called for their government to ratify the new Cluster Munitions Treaty.
Senegal
The Movement Against Light Weapons in West Africa (MALAO) lobbied parliamentarians to maintain their support of an ATT and to participate in the upcoming BMS. Letters and the Parliamentarians Declaration were sent to the President of Senegal, Abdoulaye Wade, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cheikh Tidiane Gadio and President of the National Assembly, Macky Sall.
Sierra Leone
Amnesty International hosted a press conference organised by the Freetown Women’s Group. Twelve journalists attended, alongside representatives from the Human Rights Commission, Sierra Leone Police, Sierra Leone Action Network on Small Arms (SLANSA) and Campaign for Peace and Non-Violence. Violet Ruby Kawa, chairwoman of Amnesty International also delivered a press statement. Media coverage included the Concord Times.
South Africa
* Gun-free public transport
Congratulations to Gun Free South Africa, which lobbied the government to create gun-free zones on public transport in South Africa. The government agreed to run a pilot scheme in Johannesburg, with GFSA serving as advisor.
Quest, a local youth organisation in the West of Johannesburg, also participated in the Week of Action by initiating a gun ban petition in the town of Westbury. The petition was organised in the memory of a community member who was killed by gunfire in 2000.
* Call for SADC Moratorium on arms transfers to Zimbabwe
Campaigners called for a SADC moratorium on arms transfers to Zimbabwe at a press conference in Johannesburg on 5 June. Speakers at the press conference included Joseph Dube, IANSA Africa Coordinator, Arnold Tsunga from the International Jurist's Commission and Corlett Letlojane, the Director of HURISA. There was coverage in 9 newspapers, 29 radio stations and on several TV networks. Printe media included the Globe & Mail, Reuters and the Daily Dispatch.
* Soweto workshop tackles violence against foreigners
Fifty people attended a workshop organised by the Ceasefire Campaign in Soweto. A discussion of the recent attacks on foreigners was led by Muzi Tshabalala from the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation. A discussion of the government’s arms purchasing policy concluded with a statement calling for less arms purchases and more programmes to tackle poverty. Discussions then focussed on the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms.
Sudan
* Article on forced disarmament in Southern Sudan
Eric Berman, Managing Director of the Small Arms Survey, has written an article about the dangers of forced disarmament in South Sudan. The article explains the limitations that a forcible process could pose to the security of the region and recommends alternative actions to reduce the threat of small arms.
* 3 day workshop on SALW control
The Women Development Group (WDG) held a 3 day workshop from 2–4 June on gun control in Western Bhar-el-Ghazel State, Sudan. The workshop involved over 50 participants including women, community leaders, survivors and NGO members.
* Women speak out on guns and domestic violence
The Women’s Training and Promotion group arranged a debate on guns and domestic violence in Wau, Southern Sudan on Thursday 5. Participants included military and civilians, men and women, youths and community leaders. Five women survivors of gun violence called for better assistance from the government. This event was followed by a discussion on women’s participation in post-conflict peacebuilding in Jebel-Khier on 6 June. Local radio and TV stations also broadcast information on the goals of the Week.
* Over 100 march against small arms
South Sudan Action Network of Small Arms (SANSA) held a public march on 7 June in Juba to raise awareness about small arms proliferation. Over 100 representatives from both government and civil society participated.
Togo
The Youth Network for Peace organised a boules contest in Lomé as part of the Sport against Armed Violence initiative. Présence Chrétienne newspaper carried a report on the event.
Uganda
* Press conference with media and Natcom members
Members organised a press conference on 22 May which was reported widely on UBC, WBS, NTV and Record TV stations, and the national New Vision newspaper and local Bukede newspaper. The conference was organised by the Uganda Action Network on Small Arms (UANSA) and attended by the chairpersons of both the National Focal Point on Small Arms and the national small arms media forum. Promoting the Week in advance proved useful, as the national army took the opportunity to publicise their plans to promote disarmament in Karamajong schools on 3 June.
* Internal Affairs Minister calls for ATT
The Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Matia Kasaija called for an ATT during a press conference in Kampala on 6 June. Mr Kasaija reiterated the country’s commitment to strengthening arms control and commended all civil society and governmental authorities involved in tackling the proliferation of illicit arms. The event ws organised by the National Focal Point on Small Arms.
* Media interviews with gun survivors in hospitals; Forum on private security guards
The six principles of the ATT were explained to viewers when Florence Kirabira from the Ugandan National Focal Point and Canon Joyce Nima from UANSA appeared on national TV at the beginning of the week. The two speakers commended Uganda for its support for the ATT and stressed that stockpile security should be top priority for the government.
Journalists came face-to-face with the human cost of gun violence when they were taken to a hospital ward by UANSA and the Uganda Media Action Network. Although all the survivors were male, their female relatives were also interviewed on how the men’s injuries had affected their lives. Nearly all the female relatives had been forced to give up their jobs to care for the injured; one mother said she feared her disabled son would never marry or work again. The journalists heard how one man had accidentally shot himself when cleaning his gun and another was shot by a fellow police officer when returning his firearm to the police armoury. The visit was reported in the New Vision newspaper.
New initiatives to help private security companies prevent crime rather than reach for their guns were presented in a public dialogue between UANSA, private security sector representatives, UNDP and members of the police in Kampala. The dialogue also discussed how the National Focal Point can help implement the ATT. The focus on private security companies was covered extensively in tv, radio and print media.
Zambia
Campaigners called for an immediate SADC moratorium on arms transfers to Zimbabwe at a press conference organised in Lusaka on 5 June. This received coverage in 7 radio stations and print/TV media. Print coverage included the African Press Agency and the Daily Mail.
Zimbabwe
On 5 June, the call for an immediate SADC moratorium on arms transfers to Zimbabwe received media coverage in ZimOnline and SW Radio Africa.
|
