The West African Action Network on Small Arms and Light Weapons in Africa (WAANSA) is a coalition of civil society organisations working in the field of small arms and light weapons and striving for human security. WAANSA is headquartered in Ghana, and the Ivorian section was launched in 2007 in Abidjan (WAANSA-CI). The network involves more than sixteen member organisations.

The goals of WAANSA-CI

• To contribute to the emergence of a secure, peaceful environment conducive to the development of Côte d'Ivoire.
• To serve as a forum for the exchange of information, experiences and strategies to combat the proliferation and illicit circulation of small arms and light weapons in Côte d'Ivoire.
• To work towards the reduction of the causes and the negative impact of small arms and light weapons in Côte d'Ivoire.
• To serve as a source of solidarity for all those who work on issues related to small arms and which may be affected because of their work.

The activities of WAANSA-CI

• National information and awareness campaign on the dangers related to the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons. This included press conferences, public lectures, training young people and journalists, production of films, and work with national and international structures.
• Awareness campaign for elections without armed violence in partnership with the National Commission for the fight against light weapons. In partnership with the Group for Research and Information on Peace and Security, the NGO has drafted a bill for the harmonisation of Ivorian legislation with the ECOWAS Convention on small arms.

Partners: ECOSAP, UNDP, OXFAM-GB, IANSA , UNREC.