UNDP Liberia

SMALL ARMS CONTROL PROGRAMME

Despite the successful implementation and completion of the Disarmament and Demobilization (DD) phase of the DDRR programme in November 2004, there remains an overwhelming evidence of the presence of small arms and light weapons (SALW) still in circulation in Liberia. These weapons continue to circulate between the neighboring countries of Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Cote d'Ivoire, and could potentially threaten the gains that have been made in consolidating the peace in the sub-region. The Small Arms Control Programme promotes community security through an integrated cross border approach to micro-disarmament within West Africa.

The programme operates within the programmatic framework of the Recovery and Reintegration Programme of UNDP. All projects are identified and implemented in close collaboration with government, UN agencies and UNMIL, and civil society.

The current phase has three main objectives:

• To facilitate the establishment and capacity building of the National Commission on Small Arms in Liberia;
• To promote increased public awareness, sensitization and mobilization among communities on the negative impact of possession and use of illicit SALW;
• To enhance security in communities of Liberia through providing development incentives for voluntary surrender of illicit weapons.

Field presence
The Small Arms Control Programme has been successful in extending its operation beyond Monrovia. The programme has established field presence in, Lofa, Nimba, Bong, Maryland, River Gee, Grand Kru and Grand Gedeh counties. These locations were selected based on their proximity to the neighboring countries of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Cote d'Ivoire in which there may be possibility of small arms presence. Furthermore, the programme is heavily routed in communities; hence the field offices facilitate the implementation of the projects.

National Commission on Small Arms
The programme worked closely with the Government of Liberia in establishing and building the capacity of a National Commission on Small Arms (NCSA) to effectively undertake their role and responsibilities, and thus promote sensitization on the dangers associated with illicit small arms as a priority. The NCSA is the product of extensive consultations with all the government ministries, LANSA (Liberian Action Network on Small Arms), civil society and pressure groups.

A National Technical Team on Small Arms and a National Focal Point at the Executive Mansion have been appointed. The technical team is working towards a revision of the Liberian Firearms Traffic Act (1956). In conjunction with the new legislation being developed by the UNDP sponsored National Legal Expert; the framework for a comprehensive response to the small arms problem is being developed. Consequently, Liberia has for the first time submitted a National Report to United Nations Department of Disarmament Affairs (UNDDA).

Arms for Development (AfD) project
UNDP, in partnership with the Government of Liberia and the United Nations Mission in Liberia, is carrying out a community-based Arms for Development (AfD) project, a ‘supplementary' disarmament of small arms and light weapons. The project operates at the chiefdom level and encourages the voluntary surrender of residual arms left behind after the disarmament process in exchange for community development projects. Community leaders are central in leading this initiative. Once a community is declared arms free by the Liberia National Police and certificated by UNMIL, that community identifies a project in the tune of $40,000 USD and receives support from UNDP. The AfD project presently operates in 15 chiefdoms in 7 counties and about 20 projects ranging from administrative buildings, clinics, commissioner compound, town hall, market building and guest houses have either been completed or are ongoing.

The Arms for Development Initiative is linked with similar ongoing projects within the region. Projects include UNDP/Government of Sierra Leone Community Arms for Development project, the Oxfam/CIDA project in Guinea, UNDP proposed Weapons for Development in Côte d'Ivoire, ECOWAS Small Arms Control Programme (ECOSAP) based in Mali, and the Canadian funded Small Arms Control Unit in Nigeria.

Sensitization
A comprehensive public awareness raising and sensitisation campaign against SALW proliferation and armed violence is being implemented. The campaign is carried out both at the community and political level, with regional and sub-regional organizations, the diplomatic community as well as all project stakeholders (UNMIL, LANSA, political parties etc.) being made aware of the issues at hand.

Community Security

Through the Small Arms Control Programme, the capacity of the Liberia National Police is been strengthened to respond to crimes. The programme provides logistics in the form of motorbikes, metal detectors and vehicles for the LNP to respond to crime in a timely manner. Support for the establishment of an Emergency Response Unit (ERU) within the LNP is also being provided.