On 21-22 January, the Government of Benin – through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva – in cooperation with UNIDIR’s Conventional Arms and Ammunition Programme, co-organized a workshop on International Conventional Arms Control Instruments in Cotonou. The workshop was made possible thanks to UNIDIR’s UN subvention funding.
The illicit proliferation and misuse of conventional arms, including small arms and light weapons (SALW), and ammunition significantly contribute to human suffering around the world. These weapons fuel, prolong and exacerbate armed conflicts and violence, insecurity and hinder development in many parts of the world, including in West Africa. The use of certain weapons also has long-term adverse effects on sustainable development, given the resources required for clearance, recovery and rehabilitation. In some contexts, the impacts of these weapons persist long after conflicts have ended.
The international community, including UN Member States, has therefore developed a series of conventional arms instruments that contribute to peace, security, stability and development. These are primarily focused on prohibiting certain conventional weapons, or requiring States to assume responsibility for their regulation throughout their lifecycle to prevent diversion, illicit proliferation, misuse and reduce the human costs of weapons.
Benin’s commitment to arms control
Benin has long demonstrated its adherence to multilateral conventional arms control norms and political will to fulfil relevant obligations and commitments. A State party to all legally binding instruments, Benin is also committed to implement politically binding instruments. For example, it is recognized as a reporting champion on its implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty. Since 2003, a national, advanced training centre with a regional vocation has been building African capacities for mine action, SALW control, and the fight against improvised explosive devices. Thereby, Benin is actively contributing to international cooperation in implementing the Ottawa Convention and other relevant instruments.
Nevertheless, regional instability and a changing national security landscape – including threats posed by non-state armed groups in the region, violent extremists and attacks, in particular in the northern part of the country – highlight the need for further and targeted efforts to strengthen Benin’s national conventional arms control system and measures. Recent evaluations conducted in March 2022 and April 2024 indicate a range of options for the Government of Benin to strengthen its national framework. The results also propose measures to assist Benin in addressing arms-related threats and combat diversion, illicit proliferation and trafficking, and misuse of arms and ammunition.
Key outcomes of the Cotonou workshop
The recent UNIDIR workshop on International Conventional Arms Control Instruments held in Cotonou benefited more than 30 officials from different ministries and departments, as well as civil society organizations. It focused on challenges and opportunities for Benin’s implementation of conventional arms instruments and national efforts to counter illicit proliferation and misuse of conventional arms and ammunition. The workshop included:
- An introduction to international treaties, conventions, and politically binding instruments;
- A review of Benin’s implementation efforts and contributions made to international conventional arms processes;
- Identification of priorities for strengthening Benin’s control system to address national security challenges and comply with international obligations and commitments;
- An interactive dialogue on leveraging international instruments to strengthen Benin’s conventional arms and ammunition control system, as well as engage in international cooperation and assistance mechanisms.
Participants engaged in constructive, fruitful discussions co-moderated by Ambassador Angelo Dan, Permanent Representative of Benin to the UN in Geneva, and UNIDIR. The workshop served as a platform to explore concrete options for Benin to further engage in international cooperation and make use of existing international assistance mechanisms. With these insights, Benin is now equipped and well positioned to play an increasingly active role in contributing to multilateral conventional arms control processes.
Please read the full article from La Nouvelle Tribute (in French only).
Strengthening cooperation for a safer future
UNIDIR’s Director Dr Robin Geiss, held meetings in Cotonou with the Minister of Interior and Security, representatives of the Ministry of Defence, the Secretary General and representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the UN Resident Coordinator in Benin. Following the workshop, Dr Geiss and the delegation, together with Ambassador Dan, also visited the national training centre.
UNIDIR remains committed to further strengthening its cooperation with Benin in advancing its national conventional arms control system. Such joint efforts also focus on sustaining and enhancing the architecture and infrastructure needed for the implementation of international instruments, ultimately reinforcing international conventional arms control norms for a safer and more secure world.
