i UNIDIR/2005/7 Combating the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in West Africa: Handbook for the Training of Armed and Security Forces Anatole Ayissi and Ibrahima Sall Editors UNIDIR United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research Geneva, Switzerland NOTE The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. * * * The views expressed in this publication are the sole responsibility of the individual authors. They do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the United Nations, UNIDIR, its staff members or sponsors. UNIDIR/2005/7 Copyright © United Nations, 2005 All rights reserved UNITED NATIONS PUBLICATION Sales No. GV.E.03.0.17 ISBN 92-9045-171-8 The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR)—an intergovernmental organization within the United Nations—conducts research on disarmament and security. UNIDIR is based in Geneva, Switzerland, the centre for bilateral and multilateral disarmament and non- proliferation negotiations, and home of the Conference on Disarmament. The Institute explores current issues pertaining to the variety of existing and future armaments, as well as global diplomacy and local entrenched tensions and conflicts. Working with researchers, diplomats, Government officials, NGOs and other institutions since 1980, UNIDIR acts as a bridge between the research community and Governments. UNIDIR’s activities are funded by contributions from Governments and donors foundations. The Institute’s web site can be found at URL: http://www.unidir.org iv CONTENTS Page Foreword by Abdoulie Janneh . xi Preface by Patricia Lewis . xiii The Authors . xv Acronyms. xvii Introduction Boosting capacity to combat the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in West Africa: priority for local expertise Anatole Ayissi and Ibrahima Sall . 1 Part I The international community, peace and human security . 3 Chapter 1 The sovereign State in the international order Alioune Sall. 5 Definition of the state . 5 Cooperation among states: the United Nations . 11 Chapter 2 Human security in international law Alioune Sall. 17 What is human security? . 17 Human rights . 18 Humanitarian law . 23 v vi Part II The Economic Community of West African States as the institutional framework for efforts to combat the proliferation of small arms. 29 Chapter 3 The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as the institutional framework for efforts to combat the proliferation of arms in West Africa Cheikh Oumar Diarra . 31 Introduction: principal organs of ECOWAS . 31 General principles. 32 The significance of efforts by ECOWAS to combat the proliferation of small arms . 34 Chapter 4 Implementing the Moratorium on light weapons Abubakarr Multi Kamara . 39 Introduction . 39 Programme for Coordination and Assistance for Security and Development . 39 PCASED activities . 42 PCASED intervention principles . 43 Part III Techniques for combating the proliferation of small arms in West Africa: legal and operational aspects. 45 Chapter 5 Techniques for combating arms proliferation in West Africa: legal aspects Alioune Sall. 47 Introduction . 47 Legal aspects. 47 vii Chapter 6 Cooperation among armed forces and security forces in combating the proliferation of small arms J.G. Yacubu. 55 Introduction . 55 The causes of the proliferation of small arms in Nigeria . 56 Factors favourable to the proliferation of small arms . 58 Activities that encourage the proliferation of small arms. 60 Composition of the armed forces and security forces in Nigeria . 62 Areas of cooperation between the armed forces and security forces. 63 The government’s responsibility . 68 Conclusion . 69 Chapter 7 Cooperation between civilians and the security forces in efforts to combat the proliferation of small arms and light weapons Sunday Ochoche . 71 Introduction . 71 Decision establishing national commissions for the control of the proliferation and unlawful circulation of light weapons . 72 Civilian-military cooperation in efforts to combat the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. 73 Conclusion . 75 Chapter 8 Cooperation between states to combat the proliferation of small arms and light weapons Djibril Ndime . 77 Introduction . 77 Foundations of cooperation between states. 78 Areas of cooperation policy. 79 Outcome of cooperation. 82 Conclusion . 84 viii Chapter 9 Border controls and cross-border crime in West Africa Hamédine Fall . 85 Introduction . 85 Inadequate border protection: a factor conducive to crime . 85 The many facets of cross-border crime . 86 How can border controls be improved in combating cross-border crime? . 88 Conclusion . 90 Chapter 10 Crime and the cross-border movement of weapons: the case of Nigeria P.Y. Adejo . 93 Introduction . 93 Poor border controls, a factor promoting crime . 93 Cross-border security agencies . 94 Areas of cross-border insecurity. 95 Government efforts to achieve cross-border cooperation. 98 Recommendations . 98 Part IV Culture of peace . 101 Chapter 11 For a culture of peace in West Africa M.B. Ekpang . 103 Introduction . 103 Conditions for the establishment of a culture of peace . 104 Ethnicity, exclusion and peace deficit . 105 Religion, intolerance and the peace deficit . 106 Economic deprivation and peace deficit . 107 Law and culture of peace . 107 Civic education and culture of peace . 108 Conclusion . 109 ix Chapter 12 Civil society and the fight against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons Ayodele Aderinwale . 111 Introduction . 111 Efforts to combat small arms: international mobilization . 111 Civil society and efforts to combat the proliferation of small arms in Africa . 112 Role and responsibilities of civil society . 113 An agenda for civil society. 114 Conclusion . 117 Chapter 13 The role of the mass media in strengthening a culture of peace and national integration in Nigeria Tonnie Iredia . 119 Introduction . 119 The mass media as a threat to national integration . 120 Constitutional and legislative provisions. 120 Media, peace and national integration: sociological context . 122 Culture of professional media and culture of peace. 123 Conclusion . 125 Recente UNIDIR publications. 127 x FOREWORD This Handbook is a contribution to the training of the armed and security forces of West Africa. It aims to strengthen the effectiveness of these forces in the fight against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. This initiative draws on the idea of development, peace and security for the people of West Africa enunciated by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) already in 1975. The faith in peace, of which economic development is an essential component, impels the people of West Africa towards a future free from the scourge of armed violence. Because fundamentally human, this yearning for peace is legitimate. Thus, the human being first. Then, the citizen. And only then, the soldier. Beyond topics related to classical military training, the Handbook provides for civic education. Technical issues on the proliferation of small arms and light weapons are joined by expositions in the disciplines that contribute to the making of a good citizen: domestic law, international law, humanitarian law, human rights, international institutions, etc. The aim here is to distinguish a professional army on the one hand, from an army of mercenaries on the other, by raising the consciousness of professional soldiers and keeping them away from predatory temptation and violence. Our armed and security forces will greatly benefit from the universal techniques and principles, as adapted for the African environment in this Handbook. They will find it indispensable for an effective fight against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. They will learn about the important human qualities instilled in the professional armies of societies that value peace and security. The difficult alliance between peace and security, courage and moderation, require these qualities. xi xii Efforts.