Drivers and impact of arms trafficking in West Africa

Conflict prevention and management strategies in the region must address arms trafficking.

The West African Sahel is an expansive theatre of diverse conflicts with formidable humanitarian consequences. Many of the region’s security threats are driven by the ready availability and rapid increase in arms. Addressing the trafficking of small arms and light weapons is vital for any strategy aimed at preventing and managing conflict in the region. 

Simultaneous interpretation in English and French will be provided. 

Moderator: Dr Ndubuisi Christian Ani, Senior Researcher and Project Coordinator, ENACT, Institute for Security Studies (ISS)

Panelists: 

  • Opening remarks:ECOWAS, GFFO, EU representatives, GIZ (TBC)
  • Dr Sani Adamu, Acting Head, Peace Support Operations, ECOWAS Commission 
  • Dr Oluwole Ojewale, Regional Organised Crime Observatory Coordinator – Central Africa, ENACT ISS
  • Dr Nelson Alusala, independent consultant on small arms
  • Dr Mutiat T Oladejo, Convener, Obinrin Afrika Initiative for Research and Development
  • Dr Maurice Ogbonnaya, Senior Fellow, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Nigeria (TBC)
  • Hamidou Diallo, Director, Bureau of Studies on Extremism and Community Conflicts in Africa
  • Idris Mohammed, CEO, Sulhu Development Initiative
  • Aisha Marafa, Founder, WEGIRLS FOUNDATION (TBC)
  • Kingsley Madueke, Nigeria Coordinator, Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, (TBC)
  • Dr Ndubuisi Nwokolo, Partner/Chief Executive, Nextier SPD
Development partners
This seminar is funded by the European Union and the German Federal Foreign Office under the OCWAR-T project. The ISS is also grateful for support from the members of the ISS Partnership Forum: the Hanns Seidel Foundation, the European Union, the Open Society Foundations and the governments of Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.
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