Arms Management and Destruction

Arms Management and Destruction

Published March 2016. Edited by Mike Fryer, Chris Loughran, Jessica Riordan and Portia Stratton. This publication has been produced by MAG. Content can be shared as long as the original source is appropriately referenced. Photographs MAG/Sean Sutton. Cover image An assessment at a Gendarmerie Nationale armoury in Mali. Company no: 4016409 Charity no: 1083008 Registered office: MAG, Suite 3A, South Central, 11 Peter Street, Manchester, M2 5QR, United Kingdom. This publication was funded by the German Federal Foreign Office and the US Department of State s Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement. info@maginternational.org www.maginternational.org

CONTENTS FOREWORD 5 SECTION 1 7 Arms Management and Destruction SECTION 2 13 AMD Activities SECTION 3 26 Change

MALI, 2015. The south-central town of Ségou, where new armouries have been built and existing ones refitted, under German Federal Foreign Office funding. Unsecured weapons and munitions can bring devastation. The recent conflict in Mali is an example, with the uncontrolled flow of weapons from Libya instrumental in fuelling an armed rebellion that resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries, significant population displacement, and increased political tension throughout the region. 4

FOREWORD It is now widely accepted that the poor security and management of arms stockpiles has a negative impact on people and their prospects for socio-economic development. Theft and looting from state arms stores is a major source of illicit arms, particularly in fragile and insecure contexts. Such arms can attract high values on the black market and are traded across porous borders, frequently even crossing continents. Further, a lack of control and accountability within state institutions themselves can also lead to diversion of weapons. Devastating unplanned explosions at munitions sites, resulting from precariously managed items, can cause mass casualties and destruction. Dangerous and unstable munitions can be scattered over large distances, often kilometres, presenting a further ongoing risk to civilians. MAG has worked to improve the safe and secure storage and management of weapons and munitions for more than a decade, with projects spanning 20 countries. This work, which we now call arms management and destruction, or AMD, had its beginnings in a series of pilot projects to assist states in equatorial Africa with their destruction of small arms and light weapons. It has since grown to be a substantial part of our global effort to create a safer future for people affected by conflict, armed violence and insecurity, and now sits alongside mine action as one of MAG s two programming pillars. As AMD programmes have developed, so has our policy thinking and influence. Just like our mine action work, the way we approach AMD s development will be as important as the activities we undertake. Working in trusted partnerships founded on principles of openness and critical but constructive reflection will remain vital. The German Federal Foreign Office and the US Department of State s Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement are two of the leaders in addressing the issues. They contribute in very practical ways, and MAG s partnerships with them both are crucial. This publication shines a spotlight on some of the work in Africa, where AMD has become a priority for many states that have amassed large stockpiles due to conflict, crossborder insecurity and the prevalence of non-state armed groups. NICK ROSEVEARE Chief Executive, MAG 5

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, 2012. Under work funded by the US Department of State s Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, a MAG team with FARDC soldiers prepares to take munitions from an unsecured stockpile in Goma for safe destruction. 6

ARMS MANAGEMENT AND DESTRUCTION MAG uses AMD to describe the pillar of its work that aims to have a positive human impact through addressing insecure and poorly stored weapons and munitions. MAG previously referred to this as Physical Security and Stockpile Management (PSSM). Much of AMD falls under PSSM, which is also a term used in military assistance. The scope of AMD is narrower than PSSM and does not include various elements of military support. The term AMD aims to reinforce the distinction between military assistance and work that is motivated primarily by the desire to assist people affected by armed violence, conflict and insecurity. Other organisations refer to similar work as Weapons and Ammunition Management/ Destruction (WAM/WAD). 7

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CHAD, 2015. A storage facility for the Gendarmerie Nationale in the north of the country during a MAG assessment. 9

BURKINA FASO, 2015. Weapons used to be kept all over the place. The work with MAG has allowed us to modernise the management of our weapons, and we now have the space and equipment to store them securely. In the past people stole weapons. This is less likely to happen in the future, it would be much more difficult. Commissaire Principal de Police, Emmanuel Kabore. 10

BURKINA FASO, 2015. Poorly stored weapons and munitions at a Police Nationale facility. 11

MALI, 2015. An assessment at a Gendarmerie Nationale armoury. Assessments are undertaken in full partnership with national authorities and are used to design detailed assistance packages, including training and capacity building needs. In some cases, urgent technical support is provided during assessments, usually involving the removal of unstable munitions to reduce the risk of unplanned explosions. 12

ACTIVITIES Every assistance project is specific to the national context and developed with relevant national authorities. Operational AMD activities fall into four general groups: Assessments Assessment-based operational activity Training and capacity building Provision of expert advice and guidance It is important to emphasise that all AMD assistance is carried out under the principle of national ownership. This means that MAG doesn t try to address the insecure and poorly stored arms independently; it supports national authorities to do so. The national partner for projects involving munitions is normally the armed forces. Small arms and light weapons (SALW) assistance usually involves the police services and military, but can also include ministries or departments such as the prison or parks services. Most countries where MAG works have a National SALW Commission. National Commissions act as a focal point for SALW activities and assistance, though specific mandates vary between countries. Assessments have become the foundation of AMD assistance packages. They help national partners to identify needs and clarify priorities. Assessments typically involve visits to armouries and explosive stores, risk assessments of storage facilities and identification of training requirements. Review and reflection on several projects in the Sahel and West Africa identified a need for greater cooperation and coordination between actors to avoid duplication of effort, including with UN programmes and bilateral military assistance. It also identified the opportunity to increase the impact and sustainability of AMD assistance through closer coordination with broader arms control support, such as assistance with national legislation, regional protocols, border controls and export processes. As a result, AMD assessments were enhanced to include a stakeholder mapping component to avoid duplication, and also strengthen links to broader SALW and arms control programmes. 13

MALI, 2015. A refurbished Forces Armées Maliennes armoury. MALI, 2015. A newly constructed Forces Armées Maliennes armoury. CHAD, 2015. This containerised armoury was provided for the Garde Nationale et Nomade du Tchad (GNNT). Before, people would sleep with their weapons, but now staff secure their weapons here when their work is finished and this improves security. Additionally, the training has led to a real change and we are applying all that we have learnt. Dangai Nestor, Maréchal-des-logis, GNNT. 14

BURKINA FASO, 2015. A new, containerised Police Nationale armoury. MALI, 2015. A new, containerised National Police Force armoury. 15

MALI, 2015. Securing weapons plays a key role in reducing the risk of diversion, as well as being vital for their secure and accountable management. Gun racks have been a consistent part of MAG s AMD work for the last decade. Designs have been developed that can be produced with limited facilities, using artisan workshops, which supports the local economy. 16

CHAD, 2015. Before, we just kept our weapons on the ground, so this will keep them safe. They are well kept now and cannot be stolen. Major Tahir Hassan, Groupement Spécial Anti-Terroriste (GSAT). BURKINA FASO, 2015. The work with MAG represents about 35% of our business, says the owner of this metalwork company. I employ 10 people, so the work goes a long way to support them and their families. 17

CHAD, 2015. A new Gendarmerie Nationale armoury. Before MAG built the armoury here, personnel would have to keep their weapons with them, even take them home with them, said the Direction Générale. Now with the new armoury things are very different and we would like you to do this in the other regions of Chad. 18

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DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, 2012. FARDC weapons are logged in and out at a prefabricated armoury container in Kinshasa. Training in record keeping and oversight of its implementation have always been at the heart of MAG s AMD assistance. 20

CHAD, 2015. A new Gendarmerie Nationale armoury. Record keeping is an essential component of weapons and munitions management. 21

BURKINA FASO, 2015. Serial numbers are engraved into Police Nationale weapons. MAG provides training and expert guidance on weapons marking that is in line with international guiding standards and good practice. Marking is normally associated with international tracing programmes. But weapons marking is also essential for accountable management systems, which are the foundation of AMD assistance. Marking initiatives are most successful and sustainable when they are integrated with wider national SALW programmes. MAG provided weapons marking training in Burkina Faso in partnership with UNREC and UNODC. 22

CHAD, 2015. Gendarmerie Nationale recruits receive training from Danemadji Toubard, who was given expert tuition by a German-funded MAG team. A key component of training and capacity building includes working with managers and people in oversight roles. This is essential for ensuring quality and the sustainability of changes in practice. BURKINA FASO, 2015. Police receive certificates after completing an armourers course. 23

MALI, 2015. Malian Defence and Security Forces have been trained in weapons and munitions destruction. Destruction methods ensure that all working parts of a weapon are put beyond use. Such methods can involve work with cutting shears, but also rapid mobile operations with hand-held saws. 24

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, 2012. Thousands of weapons are destroyed each year at the weapons cutting base in Kinshasa. A unique facility in the country, it is now successfully maintained and managed by national authorities. 25

CHANGE BURKINA FASO, 2015. Since all the stakeholders the Police, Army and Gendarmerie have been working with MAG, we have noticed a change. The foundations have been laid and we have received very positive feedback. Colonel Christophe Tapsoba, Permanent Secretary of the National Commission to Combat the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons. BURKINA FASO, 2015. We were trained in the management of arms and ammunition, which will help with safety and security. If the arms are not properly secured there are dangers from theft, fire, etc. For example, arms and ammunition should not be stored together like this. We need regular training and help with our facilities. Etienne Zan, in charge of weapons and ammunition for the Police Nationale. 26

MALI, 2015. The training has helped me a lot. We learned about so much marking, identification of weapons and ammunition, security measures many things that most storekeepers do not really know or do. We now have solid safety measures and we have procedures to follow when we issue and collect weapons and ammunition. The door is armoured and we have a serving hatch. Our armoury is secured. We have better equipment: bullet traps for security measures and gun racks to store the weapons. The weapons are safe and we are safe. Military storekeeper. 27

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CHAD, 2015. Danemadji Toubard is a Police Officer in Chad. She was trained thanks to German Federal Foreign Office funding in February 2015, and is now a Trainer at the National Police Academy. The training I received reinforced what I knew, as well as teaching me new things. Safety and security with weapons is very important and we have trained more than 2,000 recruits over the last nine months since we received training from MAG. We have passed on valuable knowledge on securing weapons safely, logging them in and out, keeping ammunition separate during storage, safe handling, and so on. Previously, I worked with the UN for five years as a police officer helping Sudanese refugees in Abéché. US police taught me about human rights and, since 2014, I have been working here at the academy, teaching police about human rights, and now weapons safety as well. I would like to thank MAG for the help I have received. This will reduce accidents and lessen the chance of weapons being stolen. This is important for the police and the communities as a whole. 29

MALI, 2015. Daily life in Ségou. 30

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