Malawi has ratified the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), a multilateral treaty that regulates the international trade in conventional weapons.
The treaty entered into force on December 24 2014. At the time, 113 states had ratified the treaty, with a further 28 states, including Malawi, signing but failing short of ratifying it.
Malawi has now joined the countries that signed and have ratified it.
In an instrument of ratification, Foreign Affairs Minister Nancy Tembo indicates that the country signed it on May 30 this year.
“Government of Malawi Instrument of Ratification: Arms Trade Treaty. Whereas the Arms Trade Treaty entered into force on 24th December 2024; whereas the Government of Malawi signed the treaty on 9th January 2014; and whereas it is the wish of the Government of Malawi to ratify the said treaty; Now therefore, I, Nancy Tembo, M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Malawi, do hereby notify and confirm, in accordable with Article 21 of the Treaty, that the Republic of Malawi ratifies the same. Done under my hand and seal at Lilongwe this 30th day of May 2024,” the instrument of ratification reads.
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Reacting to the issue, Edward Chaka, executive director for People’s Federation for National Peace and Development (Pefenap), which has been lobbying the government to ratify the treaty, lauded the government for signalling its commitment to peace.
“This will put Malawi in a position to control the proliferation of conventional arms, which inflict damage on people when they fall in the wrong hands. As you know, the ATT is a global mechanism which will help states prevent atrocities, disarm child soldiers, reduce the flow of displaced people and prevent gender-based violence. It strongly reinforces human rights law and international humanitarian law
“The international arms trade affects international relations, as countries buy and sell weapons to advance their foreign policy, national security and economic interests,” he said.
