Security Council Sanctions Committee on Central African Republic Hears Briefings on Weapons, Ammunition Management

On 22 June 2018, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2127 (2013) concerning the Central African Republic held informal consultations to consider briefings by the National Commission to Combat the Illicit Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons of Côte d’Ivoire, United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) on weapons and ammunition management in the country.

The Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Commission to Combat the Illicit Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons of Côte d’Ivoire provided a thorough account of the evolution of the national system of weapons and ammunition management in Côte d’Ivoire and expressed his intention to reach out to counterparts in the Central African Republic to share good practices and experience in this regard.

The representative of UNIDIR provided an update since its initial briefing to the Committee in December 2017 on the findings of its report on weapons and ammunition management in the Central African Republic.  He noted the need for continued capacity-building support to the Government of Central African Republic in strengthening the national normative and operational framework to manage arms and ammunition in a safe and secure manner.

The representative of UNMAS noted that his organization continued to actively assist the Central African Republic national authorities by providing technical advice, expertise and training.  UNMAS has been building and refurbishing weapons-and ammunition-storage facilities, and in this connection, was implementing 14 projects.  However, he cautioned that, as of 1 July 2018, due to substantial budget cuts, some UNMAS activities would have to be suspended in the country, and he underlined the need for Member States to provide extrabudgetary support for UNMAS’ activities in the Central African Republic.

Members of the Committee welcomed the briefings by the Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Commission to Combat the Illicit Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons of Côte d’Ivoire, UNIDIR and UNMAS, and expressed appreciation to the Chair’s representative for having convened the meeting.