Collections
Economic Community of West African States
ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, their Ammunition and other Related Materials
- Published in official journal 49 on 1 June 2006
- Commenced
- [This is the version of this document at 14 June 2006.]
Chapter I
Definitions and objectives
Article 1 – Definitions
For the purpose of this Convention:Article 2 – Objectives
The objectives of this Convention are:Chapter II
Transfer of small arms and light weapons
Article 3 – Prohibition of transfer of small arms and light weapons
Article 4 – Conditions of exemption
Article 5 – Procedures for exemption
Article 6 – Cases for refusal of exemptions for transfers
Chapter III
Manufacture of small arms and light weapons
Article 7 – Control of the manufacture of small arms and light weapons
Article 8 – Measures of control for small arms and light weapons manufacture
Without prejudice to the other measures that Member States shall undertake to ensure the effective control of the manufacturing of small arms and light weapons on their national territory, a request for the manufacture of small arms and light weapons shall not be granted if the requesting person has not given information, relating to:Chapter IV
Transparency and exchange of information
Article 9 – National database and registers of small arms and light weapons
Article 10 – ECOWAS small arms and light weapons database and registers
Article 11 – Register of arms for peace operations
Article 12 – Dialogue with manufacturers and suppliers
Article 13 – Prevention of and the fight against corruption
Member States shell institute appropriate and effective measures for cooperation between administrative departments concerned and law enforcement agencies to curb corruption associated with the illicit manufacturing of, trafficking in, illicit possession and use of small arms and light weapons.Chapter V
Operational mechanism
Article 14 – Control of possession of small arms and light weapons by civilians
Article 15 – Visitors' certificates
Article 16 – Management and security of stockpiles
Article 17 – Collection and destruction of small arms and light weapons
Article 18 – Marking
Article 19 – Tracing
Article 20 – Brokering
Article 21 – Harmonization of legislative provisions
Article 22 – Strengthening of border controls
Member States, in collaboration with the ECOWAS Executive Secretary, shall:Article 23 – Public education and awareness programmes
Chapter VI
Institutional and implementation arrangements
Article 24 – Member States
Article 25 – The ECOWAS Executive Secretary
Article 26 – Cooperation within and among States
Article 27 – Complaint procedure concerning violation of this Convention
Article 28 – Monitoring the implementation of this Convention
Chapter VII
General and final provisions
Article 29 – Interpretation and dispute settlement
Article 30 – Special provisions
The undertakings ensuing from the provisions of this Convention shall not be interpreted as being in contradiction to the spirit and letter of the Conventions or Accords linking a Member State with a third State as long as these Conventions and Accords are not in contradiction with the spirit and letter of this Convention.Article 31 – Sanctions
Sanctions mentioned in Article 77 of the ECOWAS Revised Treaty are applicable to all Member States whom the ECOWAS Court of Justice would have found to be in violation of this Convention.Article 32 – Final provisions
History of this document
14 June 2006 this version
Consolidation