On the 3rd of December The Gambia was among 94 countries
that converged on the OsloCity Hall
and signed the remarkable convention to ban cluster bombs forever. The
delegation was led by the Secretary of State for Interior, Mr Ousman Sonko,
Deputy Permanent Secretary of Defence Mr Mustapha Jobe and Mrs Fatoumatta Sidibeh,
Deputy Permanent Secretary, Office of the President. Civil society was also
represented by the National Network Co-ordinator of the West Africa Network for
Peace building (Wanep) The Gambia, Ms. Pamela Cole, a member of the Cluster
Munitions Coalition (CMC).
In what was regarded as a truly historic and inspiring
event, participating government representatives delivered statements of
congratulations, appreciation and support for the treaty and highlighted the
need to expedite the ratification process in order to bring about the entry
into force of the Convention on Cluster Munitions. It was also a day of
celebration, hope and resolve; celebration that such monumental effort by
governments and civil society bas resulted in a signed treaty. It also means
hope for the victims that the Convention on Cluster Munitions particularly has
set the highest standard to date in international law for assistance to victims
and their communities. It shows a very clear resolve by government and civil
society to keep the momentum going and work even harder towards the
ratification and implementation.
Secretary of State Sonko joined other states to congratulate
the Government of Norway for their leadership role in launching and driving the
Oslo
process leading up to the signing conference of the convention. He further
stated that although The Gambia has never produced, used, stockpiled or
transferred cluster munitions, it is fully committed to the convention and will
work towards ratification and implementation. Alongside the 94 countries that
signed the Convention, four countries - Sierra
Leone, Norway,
the Holy See and Ireland
- not only signed the Convention but further deposited their instruments of
ratification opening the way toward realisation of the Convention. The Convention
bans the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of cluster munitions. It
also obliges nations to destroy all stockpiles within eight years and to clear
contaminated land within 10 years.
Cluster munitions are large weapons which are either dropped
from the air or launched from the ground release up to hundreds of smaller
sub-munitions. Air dropped or ground launched; cluster munitions cause
humanitarian problems and risks to civilians. Survivors from some of the most
affected countries, including Laos,
Cambodia,
Serbia
and Lebanon,
spoke at the signing ceremony alongside national delegations. However,
countries like the US,
China,
Russia
and Israel
are yet to sign the Convention. Nonetheless, as with the treaty banning
antipersonnel landmines, this treaty will make it difficult for countries that
have not signed to ever use these weapons again.
It is hoped that the number of signatory countries will rise
to 100 before the end of the year given the fact that several states were
unable to sign due to improper paper work.
On the occasion of the signing of the Convention by the
Government of The Gambia, Wanep Gambia
registered its gratitude and congratulations to the Government under the
leadership of His Excellency Alh. Prof. Yahya AJJ Jammeh and the people of The
Gambia for this "bold move". A press statement further stated that, "Indeed The
Gambia will go down in history for being among the pioneers for the eradication
of cluster munitions. Wanep Gambia
would like to urge the Government and the National Assembly to continue on the
same speed to ratify this convention and incorporate its provisions in the laws
of The Gambia."
In conclusion the statement said, "Cluster munitions are a
threat to human lives and retard development. They leave indelible scar on
communities and land which in most cases stunt the national developmental
processes."
