The Liberia National Commission on Arms (LiNCA) has finally ended its four-day Pan-African “Monrovia Workshop” on the Universalization and Effective Implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), in collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR).
The Pan-African Workshop, being the first of its kind in Africa, was held in Monrovia based on a proposal to the Arms Trade Treaty Secretariat and the numerous efforts made by the Liberian Government as a State Party to domesticate the Arms Trade Treaty in its Firearms and Ammunition Control Act of 2022 as being the first country in Africa to do so.
The Monrovia Workshop was attended by 20 African States and several International Partners, with the sole purpose of learning from the Liberian experiences and challenges on the domestication of ATT, and as well come up with lessons learned documentation that will guide other state parties who are signatories to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) on the effective implementation and universalization of the Treaty in Africa.
Speaking to delegates at the Monrovia Workshop, the Representative of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), Robin Geiss, said that the workshop was intended to counter diversion, ensure a responsible trade, and build capacities to enable each one to undertake legal reforms.
He also stated that this meeting would not have been possible without the hard work, dedication, and incredible hospitality of the host country, Liberia, and in particular, the Liberia National Commission on Arms (LiNCA).
He also applauded the Acting Chairperson of the Arms Commission, Thomas K. Kollie; the Executive Director, Madam Vivian D. Dogbey, and the hardworking team at LiNCA for their excellent collaboration for making the event a success.
Making further remarks, Dladla extended a heartfelt appreciation to the Government of Liberia for organizing this all-important workshop. Talking about the hospitality extended to him by Liberia and making him to feel at home, especially being on this part of the African continent.
Looking forward to the intensive exchanges with participants during the course of the Monrovia Workshop, Dladla said he was glad that they were able to deliver on their commitment, and expressed his appreciation of their inputs.
The ATT Voluntary Trust Fund representative said that this Pan-African workshop will be defined by what it has become, being the first of its kind in the world, especially on the continent of Africa, attracting this kind of audiences with its two main objectives on the universalization and the effective implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty.
Dladla said the workshop was indeed an ambitious undertaking and challenged the participants and organizers to be able to deliver on this commitment.
With the responsibility that he carries, Dladla said that he was mandated to convey this message with great pride to the Arms Trade Treaty Assembly of State Parties.
Speaking further, the National Security Advisor to the Office of the President of the Republic of Liberia, Atty Samuel Kofi Woods, said he was very glad to be a part of this historical event, with Liberia punctuating the first major meeting of its kind in Africa, which is very reflective of Liberia as a country that has led the way, whether it was at AU, Mano River Union, or ECOWAS.
Atty Woods said Liberia has a duty and obligation to fulfill and to reaffirm her commitment to international obligation, with respect to the Arms Trade Treaty.
According to him, the Government of Liberia is committed, and will remain committed, and would spare no effort in support to take this process forward.
Reflecting on the war in Liberia, he said that Liberians have come to understand the immense inhumanity to man, the barbarity associated with arms, and the debased nature and character of men on the basis of ours, and how countries find it difficult after a long period of time to have institutionalized violence marks in acts of institutionalized criminality that encapsulate statehood.
In closing, Atty Kofi Woods said he is very happy that Liberia is playing a key role, not only in the question of universality, but the question of progressive implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty.
He said Liberia will continue to play that role, and will continue to work with other State Parties to support each other, but more importantly, the Government of Liberia will do all of its best to advance a strong institution in the Liberia National Commission on Arms to make it strong enough and viable to be a key partner in this environment.
