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The years of conflict that ravaged the Democratic Republic of Congo have resulted in large numbers of residual weapons and ammunition scattered around the country. These leftover remnants of war constitute a threat to the fragile peace process. With few workable procedures in place to ensure the control of these hazardous items, desperation leads many to sell these dangerous weapons without considering the consequences for their community and their country.
While individual soldiers are held accountable for their weapons and ammunition, there is little such accountability for stocks and depots. With a rank-and-file soldier in the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) receiving a salary of around US$40 a month, and a brigadier general earning only US$60,1 poverty and temptation for quick money leads soldiers to sell weapons and ammunition on the black market.
This sale of surplus arms and ammo feeds illicit trafficking activities, in particular in the Kivu provinces.2 According to a group of experts commissioned by the UN Security Council, "FARDC is the main source of weapons and ammunition for non-governmental armed groups."3
Confronted with this dire situation, MAG aims to reduce the number of weapons and ammunition stored by the FARDC and improve the management of stockpiles in post-conflict DRC. MAG achieves this goal by partnering with highly-trained national staff and developing partnerships with the local Congolese authorities.
During the two days of this photo report at the FARDC logistics base in Bukavu, MAG destroyed more than four tons of surplus or defective ammunition. To date, throughout the Democratic Republic of Congo, MAG has destroyed more than 102,000 weapons and 655 tons of ammunition, all of which contributes to the security and protection of the civil population.
MAG's clearance, education and rehabilitation activities are essential for DRC to begin the process of recovery and building the future of the country. It is only by clearing these leftover remnants of war that the country can truly begin to join the path of re-development.
MAG plans to destroy all known unserviceable and surplus weapons and ammunition, as well as ensure the safe storage of protected items before 2012. To ensure sustainability, MAG has concentrated on building national expertise at all levels, empowering locals to participate in the process every step of the way.
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Reporting and photos by Gwenn Dubourthoumieu.
MAG thanks the following current donors to its DRC operations: Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, U.S. Department of State; DFID, (UK Department for International Development) /UKaid; Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Japanese Government; Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency); UK Ministry of Defence; and UNDP.
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The FARDC (Congolese Armed Forces) logistics base in Bukavu. Several tons of ammunitions and thousands of weapons are stored in an outdated depot right in the heart of the city. |
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Surplus and defective ammunition is taken out of Bukavu FARDC stores to be transported to the demolition site. |
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(Left) The FARDC currently has around 150,000 soldiers. One such soldier, Fulgence Sebahinzi, who receives a monthly wage of 35,000 francs (US$38) says:, "You can imagine, with 35,000 francs, we cannot even buy shoes... and how do we survive now? With this small salary, anyone who possesses a weapon prefers to sell it to have a good life." |
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RPG-7s are loaded onto a MAG vehicle to be transported to the demolition site. |
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FARDC soldiers, helped by MAG technical staff, carry 107mm rockets. |
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Forty-seven 107mm rockets about to be destroyed. |
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MAG Technical Field Manager prepares the demolition by putting the explosive charges and fuses in place. |
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In the space of two days, MAG destroyed more than four tons of surplus or defective ammunition. |
Notes:
1Information received from EUSEC (EU advisory and assistance mission for security reform in the Democratic Republic of Congo).
2 Final report of the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, dated 23 November 2009.
3 Final report of the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, dated 10 December 2008.
