West African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA)

Member Website:
http://www.waansa.org

Latest

Cote d’Ivoire: Visit to the Presidency to discuss the Week of Action and the ATT

The President of the West African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA) and Co-Chair of the IANSA International Advisory Committee, Baffour Amoa, was received by the Presidency of Cote d'Ivoire, where he took the opportunity to bring attention to the Week of Action and request Cote d’Ivoire's support for a strong and robust ATT during the Diplomatic Conference in July. Visiting Cote d’Ivoire from 10-15 June, the President of WAANSA also called on civil society to join the movement against gun violence and the proliferation of small arms.

Nigeria: West African countries gather in Nigeria to discuss ATT

On April 26-27, representatives of civil society and the Control Arms coalition met with 15 member states from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja, Nigeria. Discussions focused on strengthening the ECOWAS common position on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) ahead of the final ATT negotiations in July.

Mali: IANSA members host press conference on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)

On 20 March, IANSA members hosted a press conference in Bamako, Mali, on the campaign for a strong Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) to help prevent serious human rights abuses and atrocities committed with small arms.

Ghana: Security personnel trained in marking and record keeping

In Accra, Ghana, personnel from across the security sector including the armed forces, police and the National Commission on Small Arms, were trained in firearms marking and record keeping from 7-9 March.

Senegal: Government announces gun free elections

In Senegal, civilian gun carrying will be prohibited from 4 January through to 30 April this year. The move is part of efforts to prevent violent clashes around the presidential elections, scheduled for 26 February.

Mali: IANSA member chairs meeting of governmental experts on small arms marking and tracing

Dickson Nkemakonam Orji of the West African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA) -Nigeria was designated the chair of a meeting of governmental experts on marking and tracing of small arms, held in Bamako, Mali from 6 – 8 December.

Benin: Week of Action 2011 activities

The Benin national section of the West African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA) engaged with students, politicians and journalists to ensure the widest possible coverage of the week.

West Africa: Events in Benin, Mali, and Togo

In West Africa, activities have been organised by several national networks that are members of WAANSA, the West African Action Network on Small Arms.

Burkina Faso: Week of Action launched in the national media

The West Africa Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA- Burkina) launched the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence with a press release announcing the main themes and activities for the week in Burkina Faso.

Cote d’Ivoire: IANSA woman speaks to 800 army recruits

Michele Pepe of the West Africa Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA) and UNIFEM spoke to an assembly of more than 800 army recruits at a meeting in Cote d’Ivoire on 6 October.

Ghana: National Commission on Small Arms destroyes 1500 firearms

1500 locally produced firearms have been destroyed in Asuki, Ghana.

Cote d’Ivoire campaign for weapons-free election

The Cote d’Ivoire section of the West African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA-CI), in collaboration with the National Commission to Combat the Proliferation and Illicit Circulation of Small Arms and Light Weapons, has launched a campaign for elections free from armed violence.

West Africa: WAANSA Civil Society Forum

On 23rd August 2010, the West African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA) held a civil society forum in Accra, Ghana.

WAANSA at UNDP seminar

The West African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA) participated in the regional seminar “Towards strengthening the role of Parliaments in crisis prevention and recovery in West Africa” in Accra, Ghana, on 28-29 June.

West African Network websites

IANSA members in West Africa are keeping track of states’ implementation of the ECOWAS convention on their websites.