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Background

Improving management of arms and ammunition has become a priority for many states in the

Sahel-Maghreb, who have amassed large stockpiles due to conict, cross-border insecurity and

the prevalence of non-state armed groups.

Likewise, the international community has recognised the need to reduce the risk of diversion

and unplanned explosions by encouraging better control of such stores. Instruments like the

UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons, as well as technical guidelines

including the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG) and International Small Arms

Control Standards (ISACS) have been developed to promote best practice in this pursuit. Many

states have also committed to regional agreements such as the ECOWAS Convention, Kinshasa

Convention and Nairobi Protocol, which provide a roadmap for improvement of arms management

practices.

Despite concerted efforts, many states are unable to meet these requirements without external

support. Training, improving infrastructure, accountability and capacity building amongst security

sector actors are key components of long-term success. But they also require signicant technicalexpertise and resources that are often not available in country.

If Sahel-Maghreb states are to meet these challenges and obligations, international assistance is

crucial.

Project design and types of intervention

 A programme of analyses and stakeholder development is underway throughout the Sahel-

Maghreb region, utilising MAG’s dedicated team of experts based in Senegal, as well as HI and

BICC technical resources.

The aim is to raise awareness of technical assistance, and inform national authorities and regional

actors of available support. Technical assessments will be conducted for those expressing aninterest in receiving assistance.

 Arms Management and Destruction in the Sahel-Maghreb:Promoting stability and security

THE PROJECTThis partnership marks a new

approach to arms management

and destruction in the region.

It brings together three

organisations – Mines Advisory

Group (MAG), Handicap

International (HI) and Bonn

International Center for

Conversion (BICC) – to identify

areas for assistance and deliver

effective solutions.

Fundamentally, the project aims

to contribute to security in the

region by equipping states with

the infrastructure and trainingto tackle challenges in the long

term.

For further details please contact

Djadranka Gillesen

Regional Representative

M (UK): +44 7818 410483 M (Senegal): +221 77 205 8131 E: djadranka.gillesen@maginternational.org

With a ten-year track record of

implementing similar projects in Africa, the

Middle East and Latin America, MAG hasextensive experience in the management

and destruction of arms and ammunition.

Informed by lessons learned on the

ground, MAG regularly provides technical

expertise and advice to states, putting

national ownership and sustainability atthe core of its approach.

With more than 20 years of presence in

the Sahel-Maghreb region, HI has a strong

understanding of the environment and

stakeholders. It has developed its expertise

through implementation of various activities inthe region such as victim assistance, clearance,risk education and conventional weapons

destruction.

BICC’s longstanding experience is both in practice-oriented research on small arms, and in delivering

technical advisory services to governments across

 Africa, working with decision-makers at policy level.Through capacity building and awareness-raising

with national institutions, BICC links up international

standards and domestic regulations with technicalimplementation in practice.

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AssessmentsThe project team will work in tandem with national authorities on approaches to

assessment. This can include:

• identication of training needs;

• visits to arms and/or ammunition storage facilities to assess the condition of

infrastructure and stockpiles, including surplus or obsolete items;

• stockpile management procedures and processes, including record-keeping; and• needs relating to policies, standard operating procedures, legislation and other

aspects.

Based on ndings and recommendations, an action plan will be prepared and presented

to stakeholders.

InterventionsThe type of interventions based on the assessment reports and needs identied may

include

• destruction of surplus and/or obsolete weapons and ammunition;

• providing weapons marking assistance, including training of relevant staff;

• rehabilitation and/or construction of weapons and ammunition stores;

• training of ammunition storekeepers in safe handling and secure management ofmunitions;

• training of armourers in safe and secure management of weapons;

• support to development and implementation of national SALW and ammunition

standards;

• support to development and implementation of legislation; and

• capacity building of national institutions.

Outcomes and impact

Working with Sahel-Maghreb states, the aim of the project is to create safer and more

stable environments through sustainable arms and ammunition management.

 Anticipated outcomes include

• improved understanding at regional and national level of effective ammunition

stockpile and weapons management, developing strong foundations on which future

arms and ammunition management projects can be built;

• reduction of risk for SALW affected communities;

• greater safety for civilian populations by reducing the likelihood of unplanned

explosions in munitions stores;

• reduced risk of weapons diversion through more effective SALW management;

• development of strategic relationships with national and regional authorities and

better cooperation between actors responsible for arms and ammunition

management in the region vital to future planning, development and programme

coordination for the region; and

• progress towards states meeting instrument obligations with more states able to bothwork in line with best practices and implement international standards.

  Funded by