By Sorie Ibrahim Fofanah
The Commissioner for Sierra Leone Commission on Arms and Ammunitions (SLeCAA), Binneh K. Conteh has disclosed that there are over 138 local gun manufacturers in Sierra Leone.
Binneh was speaking at the government’s weekly press briefing hosted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs conference room in Freetown on 21st May 20224.
Speaking about the main challenge the commission faces, he mentioned the collection of small arms in the country, but that Sierra Leone is the only country on the continent that has done a survey on the total number of local gun manufacturers.
He explained how the United Nations (UN) had interest in their survey on local gun manufacturers. According to him, the UN is also interested in providing livelihood for those local gun manufacturers, confirming the UN’s commitment to provide alternative livelihood for those manufacturers who desire to abandon the said trade.
According to data collected from 2015 to date, Binneh said there are over a thousand Sierra Leoneans as well as foreigners who currently own licensed guns. He however noted all those with weapons have gone through training at the commission on how to use them. “The police unit at the commission is responsible to train the applicants,” he added.
He emphasised their ambition to regulate the trade of manufacturing local guns.
He pointed out how persons who intend to possess weapons should do so by applying to the commission and stating reasons. He went on to explain the processes and procedures for applicants, among which is a police medical doctor’s report to determine the psychological status of the applicant. A confirmation from the Office of National Security (ONS) will determine whether the applicant is a citizen together with an approval from the Integrated Intelligence Service (IIC) of the Sierra Leone Police to know the criminal record if any, of the applicant.
He recalled how in the early 2000s the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) decided that each member state should have a national commission that regulates and manage arms and ammunitions in the sub region, noting this idea was brought up due to the civil wars that ravaged Sierra Leone and Liberia that saw the proliferation of arms and ammunitions.
“So the Heads of State decided that they would play a key role in ensuring the arms and ammunition are controlled by forming a national commission on arms in every country in West Africa,” he emphasised.
He also recalled how on 24th of April 2023 the Sierra Leone Parliament legislated the compliance of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) that manages conventional weapons such as warships, aircraft, and navy ships, among others.
Speaking about SLeCAA’s mandate, the commissioner noted that it’s to ensure weapons are under control in the country. “Since 2010 when the commission was formed, we have been working on how to control weapons owned by civilians and security forces,” he added.
Binneh called on citizens to point out illegal firearms owners, adding that all citizens should ensure Sierra Leone gets peace and stability which he said can be achieved through the control of weapons. “If you know of anyone who has a weapon, inform the law enforcement body,” the commissioner emphasised.
The Sierra Leone Commission on Arms and Ammunitions (SLeCAA) was formally known as Sierra Leone National Commission on Small Arms that was established by an Act of Parliament in 2010. It is charged with the responsibility to regulate, supervise the manufacturing, trade and use of arms, ammunitions and other related materials and to provide for other related matters.
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