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Project overview
Time:2020-12-13 10:45         Author:军控协会         Source:未知

Despite a variety of regional and international initiatives in recent years, the illicit or insufficiently controlled trade and diversion of arms and ammunition into and inside Africa have continued at alarming levels. Arms and ammunition are fuelling civil wars and enabling violent groups to launch attacks against governments, communities, humanitarian aid workers and UN peacekeeping personnel. Indiscriminate armed attacks on civilians and other abuses carried out by some state security forces also create fear and resentment in communities. They also diminish prospects for peace. New approaches for regional and international cooperation that can help address the problem in a more cooperative and effective way are needed.

In July 2019, the EU passed Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1298 in support of an Africa-China-Europe dialogue and cooperation on preventing and combating the diversion of arms and ammunition in Africa.

This project builds on the achievements of an EU-funded project on ‘EU-China-Africa dialogue and cooperation on conventional arms controls’, which ran between 2012 and 2014 (EU Council Decision (CFSP)121 of 27 February 2012). It also aligns with the EU's' ‘Strategy against Illicit Firearms, Small Arms & Light Weapons & their Ammunition’. Saferworld is responsible for the technical implementation of the project, chosen as a result of its strong track record in delivering multi-year projects to support international dialogue and cooperation to address gaps in the dual-use and arms trade controls. Project implementation partners include Beijing-based China Arms Control and Disarmament Association (CACDA) and Nairobi-based Security Research & Information Centre (SRIC).

The project raises awareness in Africa, China and the EU on how the illicit flow of arms – particularly small arms and light weapons – and ammunition to unauthorised actors in Africa exacerbates insecurity and violence. It also undermines public security, socio-economic development and the effective functioning of state institutions. The project promotes accountability and responsibility with regards to the legal arms trade, by demonstrating how effective arms export control can contribute to mitigating the risk of arms and ammunition being diverted into the illicit market. (军控协会)