I was involved in advocating for the ratification of the Treaty when I was Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs between 2012 and 2014 when SADC was dealing with issues of eliminating cluster munitions and the elimination of purchase of arms that had been fueling conflicts in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes and sahel regions. The DRC instability and illegal financing of the War there where lots of innocent children and women have been killed motivated Malawi to trigger public debate on the ratification of the ATT.

Now serving as a member of parliament, we had been pushing for ratification through the parliamentary committee of International Affairs. Through engagement with relevant ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defense and Security and Justice, we came to an understanding that Lilongwe had to deposit its ratification documents.

Hon. Dr. Ephraim Kayembe, MP (Malawi)

For information on PGA's Campaign in support of the Arms Trade Treaty, please visit:

Campaign to Address the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and to Promote Universality and Implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)