MAG has completed an evaluation of every police weapons storage site in Burundi, aimed at improving the security and management of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW).
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The assessment will help prevent accidents and limit the risks of Government weapons stocks falling into civilian or rebel hands. |
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The Police Nationale Burundaise weapons storage site in Giheta. [Photos: MAG Burundi] |
This is the first time MAG has conducted such a systematic and detailed nationwide survey of a country’s police armouries.
A comprehensive report containing recommendations for safer management and storage of SALW was officially handed to the Director General of the Police Nationale Burundaise (PNB) at a ceremony in which he thanked MAG for its support.
This work will help prevent accidents and limit the risks of Government weapons stocks falling into civilian or rebel hands, so decreasing the level of violence in the run-up to next year’s elections – which the Burundian population and international community fear might be held in a context of instability and violence.
The survey lasted five months and was conducted by two teams, each composed of a MAG Technical Field Manager and a PNB Liaison Officer.
Over the next year, MAG Burundi will be implementing a comprehensive Physical Security and Stockpile Management project with the PNB, addressing most of the recommendations made in the report:
What are Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW)?
Small arms include revolvers, self-loading pistols, rifles and carbines, sub-machine guns, assault rifles and light machine guns. Light weapons include hand-held under-barrel and mounted grenade launchers, heavy machine guns, portable anti-aircraft and anti-tank guns, recoilless rifles, portable launchers of anti-tank missile and rocket systems, portable launchers of anti-aircraft missile systems (MANPADS) and mortars of less than 100mm calibre. |
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1. To remove and destroy surplus and obsolete SALW;
2. Improve the physical security of the PNB armouries;
3. Train the PNB armourers to safely manage SALW.
MAG’s recommendations were all made in the framework of the Nairobi Protocol for the Prevention, Control and Reduction of Small Arms and Light Weapons in the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa.
This survey was funded by the Conflict Prevention Pool, UK, and the Swiss Government, which has also contributed funds to improve the security of armouries in the Police Region South.
- Evaluation of Burundi National Police armaments, May 2009 [Click to download PDF]
- Evaluation de l’armement de la Police Nationale Burundaise, Mai 2009 [Cliquez pour télécharger]
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MAG Burundi Country Programme Manager Julie Claveau distributes the report to Government officials. |
29 June 09
