Ivory Coast has destroyed more than 29,700 small arms and light weapons since 2012, as part of ongoing efforts to combat arms proliferation and bolster national security in a region facing persistent terrorist threats.
Commemorating the International Day for the Destruction of Small Arms and Light Weapons on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, Interior and Security Minister General Vagondo Diomandé hailed the milestone as a “convincing and measurable” achievement in the country’s broader peacebuilding strategy.
“These weapons were collected, seized or voluntarily handed over as part of various operations carried out throughout the national territory,” General Diomandé stated.
He confirmed that a further 1,500 weapons, recently recovered through court proceedings and community outreach, would be destroyed as part of the day’s observance.
Since 2014, Ivory Coast has built or rehabilitated 200 armories, secure containers, and security boxes across the country. These facilities are designed to ensure safe storage of arms held by security forces, in line with international safety standards.
The uncontrolled spread of small arms and light weapons remains a destabilizing force in West Africa, contributing to insecurity, organized crime, and communal violence.
General Diomandé emphasized the country’s commitment to creating a safe environment, calling it “the essential foundation for lasting peace, stability, and shared prosperity for all.”
Efforts are coordinated through the National Commission for the Fight against the Proliferation and Illicit Circulation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (ComNat-ALPC), which serves as the Ministry’s operational arm.
The commission implements control policies, awareness campaigns, and disarmament activities in collaboration with local communities and national security forces.
Ivory Coast’s progress comes as the broader West African region contends with the rise of extremist violence and cross-border arms trafficking.
The government’s strategy, combining disarmament with structural security reforms, is intended to stem the tide of instability and promote sustainable peace.
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