Adama Diarra, the Permanent Secretary of the National Permanent Secretary against small arms and light weapons proliferation in Mali, has highlighted the continuous influx of firearms from Libya since 2011.
He stated that this unchecked flow has exacerbated armed conflicts in Mali and increased tensions both regionally and nationally.
Diarra made these remarks during a meeting held in Bamako on Thursday evening. The gathering focused on small arms and aimed to raise awareness among the population about the harmful effects of their proliferation and to promote peaceful conflict resolution.
Diarra pointed out the spread of local factories in Mali that manufacture weapons. He revealed that there are currently more than 346 light weapons factories in the country. This proliferation has complicated efforts to control armed violence and maintain security.
The meeting in Bamako sought to address these issues by fostering a better understanding of the dangers posed by small arms. It emphasised the need for stricter controls and international cooperation to curb the illegal arms trade that fuels conflicts.
The unchecked flow of weapons from Libya, a consequence of the country’s instability since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, has had significant repercussions across the region. Countries like Mali have struggled to manage the influx of arms, which has emboldened armed groups and intensified regional conflicts.
Experts at the meeting called for increased efforts to monitor and control the movement of small arms. They stressed the importance of international support and collaboration to tackle the root causes of arms proliferation. By addressing these issues, Mali hopes to reduce violence and promote peace within its borders and beyond.
Earlier this month, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) voted to extend the mandate allowing member states to inspect ships on the high seas off the coast of Libya for another year. This decision is part of ongoing international efforts to enforce the arms embargo imposed on Libya.
Russia’s UN mission announced that it abstained from voting on the resolution submitted by France and Malta. The proposal aims to extend the mandate of the European Union’s Operation Irini, which inspects vessels suspected of violating the arms embargo on Libya.
The arms embargo on Libya was first imposed by the UN Security Council through Resolution 1970 in 2011, in response to the Libyan Civil War. The blockade aims to prevent the influx of weapons into the conflict-stricken country, thereby reducing violence and instability.
