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ECOWAS seeks greater
collaboration with the UN
Accra, July 21, Ghanadot/GNA – The Vice President of the
ECOWAS Commission,
Mr. Jean de Dieu Somda, has called on United Nations (UN)
for increased
support by funding partners for the development initiative
being embarked
upon by the Commission.
He expressed concern about the crisis that has faced many
countries
in the sub-region and identified the proliferation of small
arms as a contributing factor to the crisis and noted that
ECOWAS response was the adoption of the ECOWAS Convention on
Small Arms and Light Weapons.
Speaking to top officials of the United Nations including,
the High Representative, Office of Disarmament Affairs, Mr.
Sergio Duarte and the
Deputy Assistant Administrator and Senior Deputy Director of
the Bureau
for Crisis Prevention and Reovery, Mr Somda said the ECOWAS
Commission had made great strides in its effort to improve
the quality of life of the people through integration.
He appealed for international support for the Commission to
ensure ratification of the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms
and Light Weapons to build a strong lobbying programme for
ratification and for implementation.
In his response, Mr. Sergio Duarte congratulated ECOWAS
Commission
on the great work it is doing, especially in the area of
small arms and
stated that his office would continue to support the
Commission.
In this direction, Mr. Duarte revealed that its Lome Centre
is currently being strengthened to give technical support to
all the regional groupings
in Africa; a new capable and committed director was recently
appointed for the centre.
The ECOWAS Commission Vice President gave a copy of the
ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons to NATCOMs
chairmen and expressed worry at the slow pace of work.
This, they attributed to the fact that due to lack of
budgetary provision, many of their offices are not
functional. They then requested more advocacy visits by
ECOWAS Commission officials as a way to improve the
situation.
GNA/REA
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