arms management and destruction photo book

8/17/2019 Arms Management and Destruction photo book

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Arms Managementand Destruction


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CONTENTS

FOREWORD 5

SECTION 1 7Arms Management and Destruction

SECTION 2 13AMD Activities

SECTION 3 26Change


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MALI, 2015.

The south-central townof Ségou, where newarmouries have been builtand existing ones refitted,under German FederalForeign Office funding.

Unsecured weapons

and munitions canbring devastation. Therecent conflict in Maliis an example, withthe uncontrolled flowof weapons from Libyainstrumental in fuellingan armed rebellion thatresulted in thousandsof deaths and injuries,significant populationdisplacement, and

increased political tensionthroughout the region.


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It is now widely accepted thatthe poor security and managementof arms stockpiles has a negativeimpact on people and theirprospects for socio-economicdevelopment.

Theft and looting from state armsstores is a major source of illicitarms, particularly in fragile andinsecure contexts. Such arms can

attract high values on the blackmarket and are traded across porousborders, frequently even crossingcontinents. Further, a lack of controland accountability within stateinstitutions themselves can alsolead to diversion of weapons.

Devastating unplanned explosionsat munitions sites, resulting fromprecariously managed items,

can cause mass casualties anddestruction. Dangerous and unstablemunitions can be scattered overlarge distances, often kilometres,presenting a further ongoing riskto civilians.

MAG has worked to improve the safeand secure storage and managementof weapons and munitions for morethan a decade, with projects spanning

20 countries. This work, whichwe now call arms managementand destruction, or AMD, had itsbeginnings in a series of pilot projectsto assist states in equatorial Africawith their destruction of small armsand light weapons. It has since grownto be a substantial part of our globaleffort to create a safer future forpeople affected by conflict, armedviolence and insecurity, and now

sits alongside mine action as oneof MAG’s two programming pillars.

FOREWORD

NICK ROSEVEAREChief Executive, MAG

As AMD programmes have developed,so has our policy thinking andinfluence. Just like our mine actionwork, the way we approach AMD’sdevelopment will be as important asthe activities we undertake. Workingin trusted partnerships – founded onprinciples of openness and criticalbut constructive reflection – willremain vital.

The German Federal Foreign Officeand the US Department of State’sOffice of Weapons Removal andAbatement are two of the leadersin addressing the issues. Theycontribute in very practical ways,and MAG’s partnerships with themboth are crucial.

This publication shines a spotlighton some of the work in Africa, whereAMD has become a priority for manystates that have amassed largestockpiles due to conflict, cross-border insecurity and the prevalenceof non-state armed groups.


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DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICOF CONGO, 2012.

Under work funded by theUS Department of State’s

Office of Weapons Removaland Abatement, a MAGteam with FARDC soldiersprepares to take munitionsfrom an unsecured stockpilein Goma for safe destruction.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICOF CONGO, 2012.

Under work funded by theUS Department of State’s

Office of Weapons Removaland Abatement, a MAGteam with FARDC soldiersprepares to take munitionsfrom an unsecured stockpilein Goma for safe destruction.


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MAG uses AMD to describe thepillar of its work that aims to havea positive human impact throughaddressing insecure and poorlystored weapons and munitions.MAG previously referred to thisas Physical Security and StockpileManagement (PSSM).

Much of AMD falls under PSSM,which is also a term used in military

assistance. The scope of AMD isnarrower than PSSM and does notinclude various elements of militarysupport. The term AMD aims toreinforce the distinction betweenmilitary assistance and work thatis motivated primarily by the desireto assist people affected by armedviolence, conflict and insecurity.

Other organisations refer to

similar work as ‘Weapons andAmmunition Management/Destruction’ (WAM/WAD).

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ARMS MANAGEMENT

AND DESTRUCTION


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CHAD, 2015.

A storage facility for theGendarmerie Nationale inthe north of the countryduring a MAG assessment.


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BURKINA FASO, 2015.

“Weapons used to be kept all over theplace. The work with MAG has allowedus to modernise the management of ourweapons, and we now have the spaceand equipment to store them securely.In the past people stole weapons.This is less likely to happen in thefuture, it would be much more difficult.”Commissaire Principal de Police,Emmanuel Kabore.


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BURKINA FASO, 2015.

Poorly stored weaponsand munitions at a PoliceNationale facility.


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MALI, 2015.

An assessment at a GendarmerieNationale armoury. Assessmentsare undertaken in full partnershipwith national authorities and are usedto design detailed assistance packages,including training and capacity buildingneeds. In some cases, urgent technicalsupport is provided during assessments,

usually involving the removal of unstablemunitions to reduce the risk ofunplanned explosions.


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Every assistance project isspecific to the national contextand developed with relevantnational authorities. OperationalAMD activities fall into fourgeneral groups:

–Assessments–Assessment-based operational activity–Training and capacity building

–Provision of expert advice and guidance

It is important to emphasise that allAMD assistance is carried out underthe principle of national ownership.This means that MAG doesn’t tryto address the insecure and poorlystored arms independently; itsupports national authorities to do so.

The national partner for projectsinvolving munitions is normallythe armed forces. Small arms andlight weapons (SALW) assistanceusually involves the police servicesand military, but can also includeministries or departments suchas the prison or parks services.Most countries where MAG workshave a National SALW Commission.National Commissions act asa focal point for SALW activitiesand assistance, though specific

mandates vary between countries.

Assessments have become thefoundation of AMD assistancepackages. They help national partnersto identify needs and clarify priorities.Assessments typically involve visits toarmouries and explosive stores, riskassessments of storage facilities andidentification of training requirements.

Review and reflection on severalprojects in the Sahel and West

Africa identified a need for greatercooperation and coordination betweenactors to avoid duplication of effort,including with UN programmesand bilateral military assistance.It also identified the opportunity toincrease the impact and sustainabilityof AMD assistance through closercoordination with broader armscontrol support, such as assistancewith national legislation, regional

protocols, border controls andexport processes.

As a result, AMD assessments wereenhanced to include a stakeholdermapping component to avoidduplication, and also strengthenlinks to broader SALW and armscontrol programmes.

ACTIVITIES


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MALI, 2015.

A refurbishedForces ArméesMaliennes armoury.

MALI, 2015.

A newly constructedForces ArméesMaliennes armoury.

CHAD, 2015.

This containerised armoury was provided for theGarde Nationale et Nomade du Tchad (GNNT).

“Before, people would sleep with their weapons,but now staff secure their weapons here whentheir work is finished and this improves security.Additionally, the training has led to a real changeand we are applying all that we have learnt.”Dangai Nestor, Maréchal-des-logis, GNNT.


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MALI, 2015.

A new, containerisedNational Police Forcearmoury.

BURKINA FASO, 2015.

A new, containerisedPolice Nationale armoury.


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MALI, 2015.

Securing weapons playsa key role in reducing therisk of diversion, as wellas being vital for theirsecure and accountablemanagement. Gun rackshave been a consistent partof MAG’s AMD work for thelast decade. Designs have

been developed that canbe produced with limitedfacilities, using artisanworkshops, which supportsthe local economy.


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BURKINA FASO, 2015.

“The work with MAGrepresents about 35% ofour business,” says theowner of this metalworkcompany. “I employ 10people, so the work goesa long way to supportthem and their families.”

CHAD, 2015.

“Before, we just kept ourweapons on the ground,so this will keep themsafe. They are well keptnow and cannot be stolen.”Major Tahir Hassan,Groupement SpécialAnti-Terroriste (GSAT).


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CHAD, 2015.

A new GendarmerieNationale armoury.

“Before MAG built thearmoury here, personnelwould have to keep theirweapons with them, eventake them home withthem,” said the DirectionGénérale. “Now with thenew armoury things arevery different and we

would like you to do this inthe other regions of Chad.”


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DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

OF CONGO, 2012.

FARDC weapons arelogged in and out at aprefabricated armourycontainer in Kinshasa.Training in recordkeeping and oversight ofits implementation havealways been at the heart

of MAG’s AMD assistance.


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CHAD, 2015.

A new GendarmerieNationale armoury. Recordkeeping is an essentialcomponent of weapons andmunitions management.


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BURKINA FASO, 2015.

Serial numbers are engraved into Police Nationale weapons.MAG provides training and expert guidance on weapons marking thatis 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 managementsystems, which are the foundation of AMD assistance. Marking initiativesare most successful and sustainable when they are integrated withwider national SALW programmes.

MAG provided weapons marking training in Burkina Faso in partnershipwith UNREC and UNODC.


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CHAD, 2015.

Gendarmerie Nationale recruits receive training fromDanemadji Toubard, who was given expert tuition bya German-funded MAG team.

A key component of training and capacity buildingincludes working with managers and people in oversightroles. This is essential for ensuring quality and thesustainability of changes in practice.

BURKINA FASO, 2015.

Police receive certificates after completing anarmourers’ course.


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MALI, 2015.

Malian Defence and Security Forces havebeen trained in weapons and munitionsdestruction. Destruction methods ensurethat all working parts of a weapon are putbeyond use. Such methods can involve

work with cutting shears, but also rapidmobile operations with hand-held saws.


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DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

OF CONGO, 2012.

Thousands of weaponsare destroyed each yearat the weapons cuttingbase in Kinshasa. A uniquefacility in the country,it is now successfullymaintained and managedby national authorities.


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CHANGE

BURKINA FASO, 2015.

“Since all the stakeholders –

the Police, Army andGendarmerie – havebeen working with MAG,we have noticed a change.The foundations have beenlaid and we have receivedvery positive feedback.”Colonel ChristopheTapsoba, PermanentSecretary of the NationalCommission to Combatthe Proliferation of Small

Arms and Light Weapons.

BURKINA FASO, 2015.

“We were trained in themanagement of arms

and ammunition, whichwill help with safety andsecurity. If the arms arenot properly securedthere are dangersfrom theft, fire, etc.For example, arms andammunition should notbe stored together likethis. We need regulartraining and help withour facilities.”

Etienne Zan, in charge ofweapons and ammunitionfor the Police Nationale.


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MALI, 2015.

“The training has helped me a lot. We learned aboutso much – marking, identification of weapons andammunition, security measures – many things that moststorekeepers do not really know or do. We now havesolid safety measures and we have procedures to followwhen we issue and collect weapons and ammunition.

The door is armoured and we have a serving hatch. Ourarmoury is secured. We have better equipment: bullettraps for security measures and gun racks to store theweapons. The weapons are safe and we are safe.”Military storekeeper.


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CHAD, 2015.

Danemadji Toubard is a Police Officer inChad. She was trained thanks to GermanFederal Foreign Office funding in February2015, and is now a Trainer at the NationalPolice Academy.

“The training I received reinforced what Iknew, as well as teaching me new things.

Safety and security with weapons is veryimportant and we have trained more than2,000 recruits over the last nine monthssince we received training from MAG.

“We have passed on valuable knowledgeon securing weapons safely, logging themin and out, keeping ammunition separateduring storage, safe handling, and so on.

“Previously, I worked with the UN for fiveyears as a police officer helping Sudaneserefugees 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, andnow weapons safety as well.

“I would like to thank MAG for the help Ihave received. This will reduce accidentsand lessen the chance of weapons beingstolen. This is important for the policeand the communities as a whole.”

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MALI, 2015.

Daily life in Ségou.


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arms management and destruction photo book

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