Sierra Leone is set to take center stage in the discussion on regulating autonomous weapons systems as it prepares to host an Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) conference on the issue.

The conference, scheduled for April 17-18, 2024, in Freetown, aims to advance the ongoing global discourse surrounding the creation of a legally binding instrument concerning the use of autonomous weapons.

The urgency for finalizing negotiations on such an instrument has been underscored by the latest policy brief from the United Nations Secretary-General, which advocates for concluding negotiations by 2026. Sierra Leone, alongside a coalition of like-minded nations, played a pivotal role in pushing forward this agenda.

In December 2023, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 78/241 on autonomous weapons, following Sierra Leone’s initiative. This resolution acknowledges the “serious challenges and concerns” posed by the utilization of artificial intelligence and autonomy in weapons systems and paves the way for international negotiations by inviting states to submit their perspectives and propose pathways forward.

Sierra Leone’s proactive engagement in regional and international affairs, including its commitment to the Arms Trade Treaty, has garnered praise from numerous countries. With Sierra Leone assuming a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the first time in over five decades, the upcoming conference presents an opportune moment for the nation to advocate for a multilateral approach to global peace and security.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. Musa Timothy Kabba, emphasized Sierra Leone’s firsthand experience with armed violence and internal disturbances, making it a staunch advocate for robust weapons regulation efforts.

The conference, titled “Peace and Security Aspect of Autonomous Weapons Systems: an ECOWAS Perspective on a path forward towards the negotiation process of a legally binding instrument,” was initiated by Sierra Leone’s Permanent Mission in Geneva. Funding has been secured for the event, facilitating crucial discussions within the ECOWAS framework.

The development of autonomous weapons represents a significant paradigm shift in warfare, with potential ramifications extending beyond military application to include concerns about terrorist and criminal utilization. African nations, particularly those with fragile security infrastructures, are especially vulnerable to these threats due to the absence of comprehensive international regulations.

Collaborating with the Freetown-based Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law, the Government of Sierra Leone aims to ensure the success of the conference by providing logistical support. By convening senior officials from ECOWAS Member States, multilateral institutions, civil society organizations, and experts in the field, the conference seeks to foster dialogue on the implications of autonomous weapons for global security, human rights, and international humanitarian law. Ultimately, the goal is to galvanize Member States towards prioritizing human control over autonomous weapons and achieving consensus on an international regulatory framework, thereby reinforcing Sierra Leone’s commitment to regional and global peace and security.