By sulaiman.sesay@awokonewspaper.sl
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – Addressing a delegation from the ECOWAS Region and beyond at the inaugural gathering on the use of autonomous weapons systems, President Julius Maada Bio of Semphasized the urgent need to address the complex legal and security challenges posed by these advanced technologies.
President Bio highlighted the significant technological advancements represented by autonomous weapons systems, noting their potential to revolutionize warfare. However, he cautioned against overlooking the profound legal and security implications associated with their development and use.
“We must ensure that these technologies are developed and deployed in a manner that upholds international law, human rights, and humanitarian values,” President Bio stressed. He warned against allowing the allure of technological progress to obscure the potential dangers posed by autonomous weapons systems.
Expressing deep concern over the prospect of machines making life-and-death decisions on the battlefield, President Bio called for rigorous debate and careful consideration of the ethical and moral implications involved.
Furthermore, President Bio cautioned that the proliferation of autonomous weapons could escalate conflicts, destabilize nations and regions, and undermine global security. Drawing on Sierra Leone’s own experience of armed conflict, he emphasized the importance of fostering dialogue and cooperation to prevent violence and promote peace.
President Bio clarified that Sierra Leone’s concern is not with technological advancement per se, highlighting the country’s commitment to inclusive growth and prosperity through initiatives such as the Directorate of Science, Technology, and Innovation.
Speaking at the Bintumani International Conference Center during the opening session of the regional conference on autonomous weapons systems, President Bio underscored Sierra Leone’s role in hosting the event. The conference, themed “Peace and Security Aspects of Autonomous Weapons Systems: An ECOWAS Perspective on the Path towards Negotiation Process of a Legally Binding Instrument,” aims to drive global discourse and establish a legally binding framework to address the use of autonomous weapons.
President Bio emphasized the need for a unified approach to tackle this challenge, referencing the UN Secretary-General’s call for negotiations on the matter to be concluded by 2026. He highlighted Sierra Leone’s instrumental role in drafting the UN General Assembly resolution on autonomous weapons and its commitment to addressing concerns related to artificial intelligence and autonomous weapon systems.
By convening experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the region, President Bio believes the conference can foster a common understanding and develop strategies to address the challenges posed by autonomous weapons systems.
President Bio concluded by acknowledging the efforts of Sierra Leone’s permanent mission in Geneva and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, as well as the role played by the Center for Accountability and the Rule of Law in organizing the conference. SKS/18/4/2024