The West African Network for Peace Building (WANEP) recently concluded a two-day sensitisation seminar for National Assembly Members and other stakeholders at the Jerma Beach hotel in Kololi.

The forum was aimed at raising awareness amongst National Assembly Members and to deepen their understanding in relation to the control and regulation of small arms and light weapons through the establishment of international and regional legal instruments.

The issue of ratification of the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons was at the centre of the deliberations for The Gambia’s lawmakers at the forum.

Addressing the closing, Mr. Mutala Touray, deputising the WANEP National coordinator Mrs. Pamela Cole, stressed the need for The Gambia to ratify the convention in the interests of stable development and prosperity. “The ratification of the convention is in the interest of the people,” he said.

For Fabakary Tombong Jatta, Majority Leader and the National Assembly Member for Serre Kunda East, the move is a step in the right direction. He expressed the hope that the convention be tabled before the assembly for debate and ratification as early as possible. For Honorable Jatta small arms and light weapons are a threat to peace and stability in the sub region. He called for the involvement of National Assembly Members in functions of this kind to enable them have an in depth analysis of issues before tabling them to the National Assembly.

Speaking to this reporter after the meeting, Fabakary Kalleh, Executive Secretary Youth Ambassador of Peace, lamented the harmful effects of small arms and light weapons in the sub region.