The West African Network for Peace Building (WANEP), has warned that West African countries will lose the fight against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, if integrated approaches are not instituted to deal with cross border issues.<\/p>\n
According to WANEP, countries must tighten security at their international borders, regulate the local production of small arms and deploy diplomatic tactics in dealing with nations that produce the arms that are smuggled into the country.<\/p>\n
[contextly_sidebar id=”hFOustTExQ4NMeUDav4rHiiNHmFGeJQx”]Speaking at a program to observe the United Nations day of weapons, the Executive Director for WANEP, Chukwuemeka Eze, said dealing with small arms issues requires the cooperation of all relevant institutions in the sub-region.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnless and until integrated sub-regional approaches are instituted to deal with cross border issues, small arms proliferation and light weapons problems will remain a constant threat in West Africa,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
Mr. Eze also said the nations known for producing arms should play their part in efforts aimed at dealing with the proliferation of illicit arms.<\/p>\n
According to him,\u201cWhile ECOWAS and the African\u00a0Union must take the lead to address the porosity of borders, the international community and especially those that produce guns that find their way into our continent, should also take full responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n