Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1210th meeting held on 13 May 2024 considering the Common African Position on the 4th United Nations Conference to Review the Progress made in the Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat, and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects.

The Peace and Security Council,

Recalling previous Assembly Decision [Assembly/AU/Dec.843 (XXXVI)] adopted during the 36th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Union, held on 18-19 February 2023, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, directing the AU Commission to, amongst others, initiate a process of elaborating an Common African Position to guide AU Member States during the 4th Review Conference of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the illicit trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects (UNPoA);

Also recalling previous decisions and pronouncements on the commemoration of the Africa Amnesty Month and related themes, particularly, Communique [PSC/PR/COMM.1105 (2022)] adopted at its 1105th meeting held on 15 September 2022;

Noting the opening remarks by H.E. Ambassador Innocent Shiyo, Permanent Representative of the United Republic of Tanzania to the AU and the Chairperson of the Peace and Security Council for May 2024, the presentation by Mr. Raphael Somi, Chairperson of the PSC Committee of Experts for the month of May 2024; and the presentation by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security;

Reiterating AU’s commitment towards the implementation of the AU Master Roadmap of Practical Steps to Silence the Guns in Africa by 2030 and AU’s determination to rid Africa of illicit small arms and light weapons to realize a peaceful Continent; and

Acting under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council:

1. Adopts the Common African Position on the Fourth United Nations Conference to Review the Progress Made in the Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects;

2. Expresses deep concern over the continued threat posed by illicit small arms and light weapons to national, regional, Continental and international peace and security, including in fueling armed conflicts and criminality;

3. Strongly condemns the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons and their attendant use against ordinary citizens and civilians by various criminal, armed and insurgent groups;

4. Affirms the imperative of adherence to, and application of, universal conventions and policy frameworks against illicit trade in small arms and light weapons;

5. Underscores the importance of cooperation between Member States, partners, the private sector, and international organizations, as well as the broader global community in the fight against illicit small arms and light weapons, including in building and strengthening national institutions and in cross-border information and intelligence sharing;

6. Stresses the imperative of redoubled efforts towards the promotion of national ownership of peace and security programs by the population, especially the youth, and concerted efforts towards education and job creation, as well as further enhancing community and civil-military cooperation;

7. Acknowledges the importance of the global efforts at the UN, including through the Fourth Review Conference, to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects;

8. Directs the AU Commission to circulate the Common African Position to Member States, Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs) and partners; further directs the AU Commission to convene regular meetings of Member States to share best practices and experiences in the fight against illicit small arms and light weapons, including their illicit trade, trafficking and circulation;

9. Encourages Member States to actively participate in the Fourth Review Conference to be held at the UN Headquarters from 18 to 28 June 2024, and for them to promote and defend the Common Position in furtherance of collective security; and also encourages Member States to participate in follow-up activities to the Fourth Review Conference, including in Biennial Meetings of States; 10. Welcomes the proposal by the AU Commission to establish the ‘African Union Fellowship Programme on Disarmament’ to serve as a platform for training African experts and diplomats to enhance national, regional and continental capacities in the full dimensions of disarmament from the African context.;

11. Requests the AU Commission to develop and provide long-term technical assistance and capacity-building to Member States, upon request; and

12. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

COMMENTS