It has been a strong week for the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) as another country added its signature on Monday 29 July. H.E. Mr. Mamadi Touré, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Guinea signed on behalf of his country yesterday.
Guinea is a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a body that played a dynamic role in the treaty negotiations particularly on issues concerning the inclusion of ammunition and small arms and light weapons (SALW). Upon the Treaty’s adoption in April, ECOWAS called the treaty “a first step, but a decisive and significant one” towards reducing the human suffering caused by an unconstrained trade in weapons in Africa and around the world. The ATT will provide a framework for Guinea, a transit country, to better assess the origin and destination of arms that cross its borders.
“Africa continues to demonstrate its commitment to sign and ratify the Arms Trade Treaty. The Republic of Guinea (Conakry) signed the treaty yesterday and we congratulate the Government and People of Guinea. This means West African Member States are eager to have the ATT enter into force as it will strengthen the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons and thus enhance peace and security of the region.”
– Baffour Amoa, President, WAANSA.
