The Sierra Leone Action Network on Small Arms (SLANSA)
The Sierra Leone Action Network on Small Arms (SLANSA) evolved on the 16TH October 2001 after the launching of Freetown into the peace to the city Global network. It is a national coalition of religious institutions and civil society organizations and networks, cooperating in advocacy on small arms and light weapons control. This coalition shares the growing concern that the easy availability of SALW fuels and escalates conflicts and has a devastating impact on human and state security. It is directed towards human safety and security on the basis of the West African Moratorium on Small arms and light Weapons (now the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, their Ammunition and other Related Materials) and the United Nations Programme of Action on SALW in all its Aspects.
Effective action against SALW requires a range of short, medium and long term initiatives and strategies. It needs a two-pronged approach with multiple efforts and a wide variety of anchors from all sectors of the community. This network provides effective implementation of initiatives and cohesiveness of small arms actions within its national framework.
