By Henry Umoru

ABUJA — Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, has presented Africa’s position on the growing threat of illicit small arms and light weapons at the 9th Biennial Meeting of States convened by the United Nations.

Speaking on behalf of the African Group, Ibrahim said 25 years after the adoption of the Programme of Action and 21 years after the International Tracing Instrument, the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons continues to fuel armed violence globally.

He noted that the situation in Africa has become particularly alarming, adding that small arms and light weapons have become the continent’s “true weapons of mass destruction,” driving terrorism, transnational organised crime, prolonged conflicts, humanitarian crises and loss of lives.

The meeting reviewed the implementation of the Programme of Action aimed at preventing, combating and eradicating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, as well as the International Tracing Instrument.

Ibrahim said the African Group views the meeting as an opportunity to translate longstanding commitments into measurable outcomes, noting that Africa’s participation is guided by the Common African Position outlining priorities at national, regional and international levels.

He reaffirmed Africa’s commitment to the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference, self-defence and peaceful settlement of disputes as enshrined in the United Nations Charter.

The Nigerian diplomat highlighted four key priorities of the African Group, stressing the need for national implementation efforts to produce tangible results.

He said African countries have strengthened legal and regulatory frameworks governing the life cycle of small arms and light weapons, including manufacture, marking, stockpile management and disposal.

He also noted that countries have established national coordinating bodies, designated focal points and national action plans to address illicit arms proliferation.

Ibrahim called on international partners to continue supporting these efforts while respecting national ownership and ensuring assistance remains voluntary and demand-driven.

On diversion of weapons, he said preventing arms from falling into the wrong hands remains central to Africa’s agenda.

He advocated stronger stockpile management measures in both peace and conflict settings, improved end-user controls, monitoring systems, investigations and information-sharing mechanisms.

He further urged the international community to criminalise the conversion of deactivated, blank-firing and non-lethal firearms into fully functional weapons.

The African Group also called for a prohibition on the transfer of small arms and light weapons to unauthorised non-state actors, including criminal and terrorist organisations.