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U.S. Embassy funds the construction of an armory for smuggled small weapons

The Chargé d' Affaires of the U.S. Embassy of Togo, Mr. Charles H. Twining, and the President of the National Commission against the Proliferation of Light and Small Arms, Colonel Toyi Assiah, signed a document granting 32,000 USD, approximately thirteen million CFA, for the construction of an armory for illicit and small arms at the headquarters of the Togolese Armed Forces on July 25, 2008. This was done in the presence of the representative of the Chief of Staff, General G. Berena, the Director of the Regional Center for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC-Togo), Ms. Seck Diouf, as well as members of the Commission and Army officers.

In his speech, Chargé Twining declared that small arms destabilize entire regions, weaken humanitarian assistance objectives, impede the development process, and encourage a culture of violence. He also highlighted that the majority of casualties caused by wars are due to the more than 875 million small weapons trafficked throughout the world.

The armory will be built on a piece of land located within the headquarters of the Togolese armed forces. Part of the funds granted will be also used for future training of the members of the Commission once the armory has been completed.