ECOWAS and UNIDIR organise a Weapons and Ammunitions Management baseline assessment  in Senegal

From 8 to 11 April 2025, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), through its Small Arms Division, in collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), is organising a meeting for the Weapons and Ammunitions Management baseline assessment in Senegal.

The main objective of the evaluation is to improve high-level coordination on the management of arms and munitions at national level.

It will also help to strengthen the country’s capacity to combat the illicit proliferation of light weapons and their ammunition, establish a national coordination mechanism for the management of weapons and ammunition, contribute to the review of national security strategies and policies, assess progress in the implementation of regional instruments and strategies, and improve the development of a national strategy for the weapons and ammunition management (WAM).

In his opening remarks, Colonel Crespin Arsène Sambou, Permanent Secretary of Senegal’s Small Arms and Light Weapons Commission (COMNAT/ALPC), congratulated the ECOWAS Commission and UNIDIR for holding this evaluation process in Senegal.

He then invited all those present to share their experience of good practice in arms management.

Representing UNIDIR, Mohamed Lamine Coulibaly, researcher for the conventional arms and ammunition programme, stressed the importance of this assessment in strengthening Senegal’s capacity to manage arms and ammunition effectively. He also stressed the need for international cooperation to combat the proliferation of SALW in West Africa.

Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, PhD, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the ECOWAS Commission, represented by Her Excellency Mrs Zelma FASSINOU, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Senegal, highlighted the organisation’s commitment to supporting Member States in implementing effective policies and strategies for the management of arms and ammunition. Ambassador Fatau also stressed the importance of this series of evaluations in the Member States. He also commended UNIDIR for its efforts to support capacity-building initiatives and for its unwavering commitment to improving the technical capabilities of Member States.

In his speech, the Minister for the Armed Forces, represented by his Director of Cabinet, Mrs Mame Madior SOW, emphasised the importance of this assessment for national security and regional stability.

“The Government of Senegal cannot fail to acknowledge the invaluable role played by the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the partners of COMNAT/ALPC in promoting peace and security, to the great satisfaction of the highest authorities and our populations. I wish you every success in your work,” she added.

This baseline assessment will identify existing capacities and areas for improvement, and provide possible options and approaches for strengthening national arms and ammunition management institutions, processes and procedures, including through international cooperation and assistance.

The results of the assessment will support the revision, updating and development of a new national roadmap by the Senegalese government and its international partners to strengthen national frameworks for the management of arms and ammunition.