A new report from the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) highlights the progress made by 12 African states in strengthening their national frameworks for weapons and ammunition management (WAM) over the past year.
According to the 2024 WAM Insight Update, by early 2024 a total of 15 countries, including 12 in Africa, had assessed and taken steps to enhance their WAM policies and practices using UNIDIR’s Reference Methodology for National WAM Baseline Assessments.
The report identifies 10 key functional areas for effective WAM, such as establishing national coordination mechanisms, developing legal and regulatory frameworks, and implementing measures to control weapons transfers, manage stockpiles, ensure accountability, and dispose of illicit arms and ammunition.
“Effective WAM can contribute significantly to conflict prevention, peace, and sustainable development across Africa,” said Theò Bajon, the report’s author and an Associate Researcher with UNIDIR’s Conventional Arms and Ammunition Programme. “We’ve seen meaningful progress in many countries, but challenges remain in areas like stockpile management and dealing with craft production and illicit trafficking.”
Some examples of national progress highlighted in the report include:
– Strengthened legal and regulatory frameworks
– Established or expanded national coordination mechanisms
– Adoption of operational solutions and community-based approaches
However, the report also notes persistent challenges in managing stockpiles, ensuring accountability through marking and record-keeping, and disposing of illicit arms and ammunition. It emphasizes the need for continued efforts to enhance national ownership and address emerging risks such as the spread of violent extremism.
“This is a long-term endeavor, but African states are demonstrating strong commitment to addressing the complex issues around weapons and ammunition management,” Bajon said. “With sustained support and integrated approaches, they can further enhance WAM and contribute to peace, security, and development across the continent.”
The 2024 WAM Insight Update is the third annual report produced by UNIDIR to track progress on WAM in Africa. The research was supported by the governments of Finland, Germany, and Switzerland.
