Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, has presented Africa’s position on the growing threat of illicit small arms and light weapons at the 9th Biennial Meeting of States convened by the United Nations.
The meeting reviewed the implementation of the Programme of Action aimed at preventing, combating and eradicating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, as well as the International Tracing Instrument.
Speaking on behalf of the African Group, Ibrahim said 25 years after the adoption of the Programme of Action and 21 years after the International Tracing Instrument, the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons continues to fuel armed violence globally.
He described the situation in Africa as particularly alarming, saying small arms and light weapons have become the continent’s “true weapons of mass destruction,” driving terrorism, transnational organised crime, prolonged conflicts, humanitarian crises and widespread loss of life.
According to him, the African Group sees the meeting as an opportunity to translate long-standing commitments into measurable outcomes.
He said Africa’s position is guided by the Common African Position, which outlines priorities at national, regional and international levels, while reaffirming commitment to sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference, self-defence and peaceful settlement of disputes under the UN Charter.
Ibrahim outlined four key priorities of the African Group, stressing the need for effective national implementation of existing frameworks to produce tangible results.
He noted that African countries have strengthened legal and regulatory systems covering the full lifecycle of small arms and light weapons, including manufacture, marking, stockpile management and disposal.
He also said countries across the continent have established national coordinating bodies, designated focal points and national action plans to address illicit weapons proliferation, calling for sustained international support that respects national ownership.
On diversion risks, Ibrahim said preventing weapons from falling into the wrong hands remains central to Africa’s agenda.
He called for stronger stockpile management and physical security measures in both conflict and post-conflict settings, alongside improved end-user controls, monitoring systems, investigations and information sharing.
He further urged the international community to criminalise the conversion of deactivated, blank-firing and non-lethal firearms into fully functional weapons.
The African Group also called for a ban on the transfer of small arms and light weapons to unauthorised non-state actors, including criminal networks and terrorist organisations involved in violent activities.
