Through its Conventional Weapons Management and Disposal (CWMD) projects, MAG reduces the proliferation of illicit and surplus conventional weapons, which form a major obstacle to peace, stability and development in conflict-affected countries.
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Weapons being destroyed in the Democratic Republic of Congo. |
Also part of CWMD, stockpile management aims to ensure existing weapon and ammunition stocks are stored in safe conditions, reducing the risk of the kind of explosion that occurred at an ammunition depot in Tanzania last week, killing 11 people and injuring more than 300. [Hundreds hurt by Tanzania blast - BBC website]
As well as providing technical assistance and advice to states relating to the destruction – and safe and secure storage – of weapons and ammunition, MAG also runs training programmes designed to enable civil and military authorities to build their own expertise.
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Republic of Congo: 140mm (high explosive) rockets, anti-tank mines and propellant at an army storage depot prior to destruction by MAG. |
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A member of MAG staff in Iraq records [Photos: MAG ROC and MAG Iraq] |
MAG is currently undertaking CWMD projects in Burundi, Cambodia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Iraq, Rwanda, Somalia and Sudan. In addition, MAG is providing CWMD technical support to the Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA) in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa region.
Below are some of the highlights of MAG's CWMD work during March. To read the full report click here: MAG CWMD update, March 2009 [PDF]
Burundi
A total of 3,825 hand-grenades were destroyed by a mixed MAG-Burundian Police (Police Nationale Burundaise) mobile team, a further contribution to reducing the number of grenade attacks harming the country’s population on a daily basis.
Additionally, the destruction of 127kg of explosives and 1,254 detonators (which were in a dangerous state) has prevented potential unplanned explosions in armouries.
Cambodia
A MAG small arms and light weapons team destroyed 476 dangerous items in Kampong Cham province, including high explosive mortar bombs, rifle grenades, rocket-propelled grenades and hand grenades.
On top of this, Mine Risk Education – which helps minimise the risks for people living, working and
travelling through areas contaminated with landmines and/or unexploded
ordnance – was given to 293 adults and 391 children in the province.
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
MAG destroyed 746,717 items of ammunition, weighing 5,342kg, in Mbakana, Kinshasa Province. In Kasai Oriental Province, from Mbuji Mayi to Kamina, destroyed 1,884 items, weighing 26,637kg.
And an additional 685 weapons were destroyed at MAG's Regional Destruction Centre in Kinshasa.
Iraq
A total of 10,659 small arms and light weapons were destroyed in 115 different villages in Erbil, Sulaimaniyah, Dahuk, Mosul, Diyala and Kirkuk governorates. Items included different types of projectiles, mortars, bullets, rocket-propelled grenades and fuses.
Besides this, MAG is running an awareness programme – including a children’s activity book, posters and leaflets – to warn children and other vulnerable groups about the dangers of such weapons.
RECSA (Great Lakes region and Horn of Africa)
MAG continues to provide technical support to the Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA), which coordinates efforts by member states to prevent, combat and eradicate stockpiling and illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons in the Great Lakes Region and Horn of Africa.
RECSA member states include: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
Republic of Congo
MAG is supporting the military (Forces Armées Congolaises) in the destruction of weapons and ammunition from storage depots in urban areas.
Some 2,992 items from the army depot in Pointe Noire – weighing 13,155kg and including ammunition, artillery shells, artillery and mine fuses, anti-tank mines and grenades – were demolished during March.
Rwanda
MAG is providing technical assistance and training to the Rwanda Defence Forces in basic stockpile management and the destruction of surplus small arms, light weapons and munitions.
At the central weapons destruction workshop established by MAG at Kanombe, near Kigali, 4,608 small arms were destroyed. These included assault rifles, bolt-action rifles, self-loading rifles, machine guns, machine gun barrels, shotguns, grenade launchers, hunting rifles and rocket launchers.
MAG is supporting the Rwandan Defence Forces in its aim to have a stand-alone Explosive Ordnance Disposal team – which identifies, makes secure, and then safely removes and destroys dangerous remnants of conflict – deployed on peace-keeping operations in Darfur by the end of 2009.
Somalia
An Explosive Ordnance Disposal team comprised of eight police staff in the Puntland region, trained and supervised by MAG, cleared out a stockpile of munitions from the main police station in Galkayo, an area previously off-limits because of security concerns.
Over 450 dangerous items were removed and destroyed, including 370 new hand grenades.
Sudan
Nearly 1,200 people benefited from the safe demolition of seven sub-munitions and six other items of unexploded ordnance in Yei and Morobo County, Central Equatoria.
Links:
- MAG CWMD update, March 2009 [PDF]
- MAG's approach to Conventional Weapons Management and Destruction
- Donate to MAG online - more than 90 per cent of MAG's income is spent directly on clearance programmes
- Other ways to Get Involved - shop, run, walk, skydive, drink wine...
- Click on Tags below for related articles
MAG’s CWMD projects around the globe are supported by: Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, US Department of State; Conflict Prevention Pool (UK Government); Royal Government of the Netherlands; Isle of Man Government / Manx Landmine Action; Adopt-a-Minefield; Maurice Rufford Laing Foundation; Swiss Government.
6 May 09
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