Bamako, Mali - The Malian parliament has authorized the ratification of the Convention for the Fight against Illicit Traffic in Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances, adopted in Sirte, Libya, in June 2007, by the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD), PANA learnt Tuesday. The Sahel-Sahara region is characterized by its vast and porous borders of its member states, thereby promoting the trafficking of illicit drugs, weapons, among others. According to an expert, familiar with the matter, individual countries do not have the resources to deal with the vice and this led member states to adopt the convention, which will coordinate efforts to curb the scourge.

It aims to safeguard the peace and security of the region, strengthen cooperation among member states in order to effectively fight against the various forms of traffic.

Member-states are committed to harmonize national laws on offences relating to drug trafficking and to exercise all their powers in punishing criminal acts as specified by the convention when they are committed on their territory on ships or aircrafts and by their nationals or persons resident in their territory.

Member-states also pledged to cooperate in exchanging information.

Pana 27/04/2011