the Government of Sierra Leone revealed plans to host an ECOWAS Regional Conference in Freetown on April 17-18, 2024. The primary focus of the conference is to propel the global discourse on establishing a legally binding instrument addressing the use of autonomous weapons.
This initiative comes in response to the UN Secretary-General’s policy brief from July 2023, urging negotiations on this matter to conclude by 2026. Sierra Leone, having played a pivotal role in drafting UN General Assembly Resolution 78/241 on autonomous weapons, adopted in December 2023, underscores the urgency to address challenges and concerns related to AI and autonomy in weapons systems.
The release emphasizes Sierra Leone’s active engagement in international forums and commitment to upholding agreements such as the Arms Trade Treaty. The conference aligns with Sierra Leone’s current role as an elected member in the non-permanent category of the UNSC, providing a platform for the country to advocate for a rules-based world order to enhance global security.
Sierra Leone, drawing from its own experience with arms violence, positions itself as a champion country advocating for effective national, regional, and international weapons control efforts.
Themed “Peace and Security Aspect of Autonomous Weapons System; an ECOWAS perspective on a path towards the negotiation process of a legally binding instrument,” the conference aims to facilitate critical discussions on the pressing issues surrounding autonomous weapons systems within the ECOWAS framework.
Autonomous weapons, considered the third major revolution in warfare, raise concerns beyond military use, including potential misuse by terrorists and criminal non-state actors in African states with weak security infrastructures. Current international regulations governing these weapons are deemed inadequate.
The high-level conference in Freetown, organized in collaboration with the Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law, aims to provide a platform for candid discussions among ECOWAS Member States. It will involve senior government officials, heads of multilateral and regional institutions, civil society organizations, and field experts. The objective is to encourage member states to prioritize substantive human control and build momentum towards a common position on an international agreement for the regulation of autonomous weapons. This event showcases Sierra Leone’s leadership and commitment to regional and global peace and security
