The seaside town of Assinie, in Côte d'Ivoire, is hosting a crucial ECOWAS regional workshop from June 15 to 19. Organized by the National Commission for the Fight Against the Proliferation and Illicit Circulation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (ComNat-ALPC), this event focuses on strengthening the capacities of member states in the area of arms and ammunition tracing .

A united front against sub-regional insecurity

At the opening of the proceedings, Francis Ouattara, technical advisor to the Minister of the Interior and Security, commended the strong turnout of West African delegations and international organizations. He noted that this meeting was taking place in a critical context where the illicit flow of weapons fuels instability, weakens institutions, and hinders the development of West Africa.

"The presence of these delegations demonstrates our shared commitment to addressing, in a spirit of solidarity and shared responsibility, the security challenges that threaten our sub-region," Mr. Ouattara emphasized, reaffirming Côte d'Ivoire's commitment to peace and the reform of its security sector.

Tracking: a strategic weapon against crime

In accordance with the requirements of the Arms Trade Treaty, this workshop pursues three main objectives:

1. Strengthen the technical skills of experts.
2. Sharing best practices and experiences.
3. Analyze the obstacles related to arms control.

For Inspector General of Police Aboubacar Diakité, President of ComNat-ALPC, the observation is unequivocal: the flow of illegal weapons actively supports crime and sabotages stabilization efforts.

He emphasized that contact tracing is an essential tool for dismantling trafficking networks, optimizing criminal investigations, and streamlining cooperation between security services. In closing, he urged participants to prioritize pragmatic discussions to arrive at concrete solutions tailored to the realities on the ground.