Illicit arms continue to be smuggled into Liberia on a regular basis according to the Liberia National Commission on Small Arms (LiNCSA).

Now, the government, with technical assistance and training from the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC) and the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has embarked on a national arms-marking exercise to create a database of legal arms in the country.  

“We have seen the successful marking of arms. Already, many national security weapons have been marked,” Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG) for Rule of Law Waldemar Vrey said recently in Monrovia as he handed over a vehicle on behalf of UNMIL to LiNCSA.

The arms-marking exercise is part of the process of Liberia preparing to assume full security responsibilities by June this year. The exercise includes registering and tracking of arms used by Liberia’s security forces. Marking and registering weapons will further prevent the diversion of arms into the illicit market. The DSRSG commended LiNSCA’s efforts in combating the proliferation and illicit trafficking of small arms in Liberia in line with Article 24 of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons.

“Discussions that LiNCSA has with the police will see them comply with the ECOWAS standards as well. This is a good step forward. We have been partnering with you and together with other UN agencies we will continue to support this work,” said Vrey. 

“We are mindful of UNMIL drawdown and the role each security institution is required to play. We will ensure security if arms are only in hands of those authorized to carry and the process of moving arms is transparent,” said LiNCSA Chairman James M. Fromayan. “We intend to conduct public awareness across Liberia to encourage individuals that are in possession of fire arms to turn them over. Thereafter, police will begin searching for arms.”  

A total of 27 Liberian security sector officers have been trained on marking, registering and record-keeping of arms, with an emphasis on government-owned weapons. Over 40 weapons collected during the Liberia Disarmament Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) programme were marked, registered and destroyed during practical exercises at the training. 

“We have marked all the weapons in the hands of our military. This is a breakthrough for us. It has strengthened accountability among the largest arms-bearing group,” said Fromayan. “In addition, we have signed a memorandum of understanding with the police, the Executive Protective Services and the National Security Agency on arms-marking. We hope to complete the exercise before June.

Liberian law prohibits private security and private individuals from bearing fire arms, except hunters. But this ban is normally flouted. The Liberian legislature is crafting new legislation to give LiNCSA power to regulate movement of arms.

“As of now we do not have the legal rights to go after firms and individuals transporting illicit arms through our borders. We are expanding the Liberia Immigration Act to allow officers to bear arms and tighten illicit trading of arms across borders,” Fromayan noted.  “We are also creating a national database system for all weapons, including those in the hands of hunters. Already, specialists have been assembled, and equipment and space are available – all covered under the UNMIL drawdown plan.”

LiNCSA is currently establishing sub-offices in Bong, Lofa and Grand Gedeh counties to decentralize its activities to combat illicit arms and light weapons in Liberia. 

Local chiefs and elders are being mobilized into networks to watch over ownership and movement of arms in communities. In addition, communities that return illicit arms will be given development grants to fund projects such as health clinics, schools and markets through funds from the European Union and ECOWAS, managed by United Nations Development Programme.