PSC/PR/COMM.(DLXXXIV) (RECs/RMs), as well as other relevant entities, to provide regular briefings to the Council, on the illicit flows of arms and ammunition into conflict zones and provide practical recommendations; 7. Welcomes the support provided by the Commission, RECs/RMs and international partners and underlines the primary responsibility of Member States to mitigate threats posed by the illicit proliferation, circulation and trafficking of SALW. Council, therefore, urges Member States to renew their commitment and efforts towards the full and effective implementation of the relevant regional and international instruments through nationally led and owned programs; 8. Recognizes that the illicit proliferation, circulation and trafficking of arms and ammunition is significantly aided by porous African borders. In this regard, Council reiterates the need for regional approaches based on strong inter-state cooperation that fosters sharing of intelligence and information on suspected traffickers, trafficking routes, and suspected diversion activities. Therefore, Council calls on Member States that have not yet done so, to urgently ratify or accede to the AU Convention on Cross Border Cooperation (Niamey Convention); 9. Notes with concern the increased use of SALW in inter-communal conflicts over natural resources, particularly among pastoralist communities, and stresses the need for integrated regional approaches to mitigate environmental factors, enhance access to basic services and reduce levels of violence through community disarmament; 10. Recognizes the vital role played by AU Peace Support Operations in assisting Member States in physical security and stockpile management of arms and ammunition, disarmament and demobilization activities, as well as arms marking and registration. In this regard, Council requests the Commission to be mindful of these issues and identify the requisite capacities in the pre-deployment assessment and planning phases of Council-mandated Peace Support Operations; 11. Also expresses its deep concern over the continued threat posed by landmines, explosive remnants of war (ERW) and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), and their devastating impact on civilians, as well as on economic development, post-conflict reconstruction and regional integration. Council welcomes the commendable progress made by Member States in clearing areas under their jurisdiction contaminated by anti-personnel land mines, cluster munitions and ERW and calls upon the concerned Member States to spare no effort in meeting their clearance obligations pursuant to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, the Convention on Cluster Munitions and the relevant Protocols to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons; 12. Council further calls on Member States, that have not yet done so, to accede to the afore-mentioned instruments in line with the spirit of the relevant decisions of the AU policy