MONROVIA – The Chairman of Liberia National Commission on Small Arms (
Report by Christopher C. Waker, [email protected]
According to him, the people of Liberia have no reason to fear as the commission is working with international partners, including the British Government, ECOWAS, etc to ensure that they help formulate policies and appropriate programs aimed at combating the proliferation of small arms and light weapons across the country.
As part of effort in that regard, Chairman Sarkor told FrontPageAfrica that the Commission has set up a national control system, which is intended to ensure that weapons brought in are not diverted to other countries.
According to the LINCSA Chairman, small arms and light weapons have negative impact on society especially reflecting on Liberia’s dark past.
He use the occasion to call on civilians in possession of illegal weapons to peacefully turn them in to the Liberia National Police (LNP).
He stated that under the laws, only security institutions and personnels, including LNP, the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), The Executive Protective Service (EPS) amongst others are to carry arms.
However, he clarified that some civilians can use single barrel guns exclusively for hunting purposes.
The LINCSA head returned recently from the annual Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) meeting.
It can be recalled that Liberia in 2015 ratified the ATT. The country is said to be at the point of domesticating the legal instrument.
It is expected that President George Weah will submit the bill to the Legislature for legislation.
The LINCSA boss said the meeting was a great experience for him and that Liberia’s case was “well discussed and represented.”
Sarkor, who also visited Equatorial Guinea to represent Liberia on the ban of fossil materials to produce nuclear weapon and explosives said, though Liberia does not have uranium, he joined those calling on nations with those kinds of natural resources to use them for nuclear energy purposes and not to weaponize themselves.