Family picture at the Informal meeting on the Global Framework Ammunition for Eastern and Southern African States

From 24 to 25 September 2024, representatives from 19 Eastern and Southern African countries gathered in Gaborone, Botswana, for a regional meeting organized by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), and its Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC) in coordination with the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The meeting was funded by the government of Germany. The conference focused on the implementation of the Global Framework for Through-life Conventional Ammunition Management, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2023. This comprehensive framework is anchored in the fifteen objectives around three structural pillars, namely sustainability, safety, and security, and seeks to prevent diversion, illicit trafficking of ammunition, and unplanned explosions at ammunition sites.

This gathering brought together national representatives, regional organizations, international partners, and civil society groups, including the Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies (BICC), the Ammunition Management Advisory Team (AMAT), the Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA), and the Halo Trust.

Officials at the opening ceremony of the Informal meeting on the Global Framework Ammunition for Eastern and Southern African States

Over the two days, plenary sessions, small group exercises, and presentations by thematic experts were held to exchange best practices and identify challenges. Regional coordination and information sharing emerged as critical factors for effective ammunition management in Eastern and Southern Africa, with participants emphasizing the need for stronger cooperation among states and stakeholders to ensure safer and more secure stockpile management. During the meeting, representatives from RECSA and SADC discussed the gaps, challenges, and recommendations for improving the implementation of the Nairobi Convention and the SADC Protocol on Small Arms and Light Weapons, specifically regarding through-life conventional ammunition management.

One of the central themes of the conference was the importance of implementing surveillance systems and risk reduction measures to prevent unplanned explosions at ammunition sites. Participants stressed the need for regular monitoring, comprehensive record-keeping, and the updating of national frameworks in line with regional protocols and international standards such as the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG).

In addition to technical discussions, the conference provided a platform to address the broader issues of security. Participants discussed the significance of enhancing tracking, marking, and record-keeping to prevent ammunition from falling into the wrong hands. Cross-border cooperation, supported by advanced technologies, was identified as an essential tool in ensuring that the origins of diverted ammunition are identified and addressed.

Participants following presentations of the Informal meeting on the Global Framework Ammunition for Eastern and Southern African States

Gender inclusion in ammunition management was recognized as a key priority. Participants called for the empowerment of women in the sector by addressing cultural barriers and stereotypes that often limit women’s roles in ammunition management and broader disarmament initiatives.

This regional meeting marks an important step in addressing the ammunition management challenges in East and Southern Africa. As a way forward, participants are expected to build on the insights and recommendations shared during the meeting to strengthen national and regional actions. The inputs gathered during these meetings will inform upcoming analytical papers that will serve as a basis for future interventions.

Meeting UNODA, UNREC and RC Botswana

Looking ahead, the next global conference scheduled for June 2025 in New York will serve as a critical platform for reviewing progress and setting the agenda for the continued implementation of the Global Framework. The conference will launch the dedicated follow-up and review process, providing an opportunity for states, NGOs, and other stakeholders to reaffirm their commitments and explore further actions to enhance ammunition management worldwide.

Meeting with SADC secretariat

On the sidelines of the conference, UNODA and UNREC took the opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with Member States and the Resident Coordinator's office in Botswana to identify specific gaps and opportunities related to ammunition management. They also met with the SADC Secretariat to discuss challenges in the implementation of regional initiatives, exploring opportunities for further cooperation.

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Officials at the opening ceremony of the Informal Meeting on Global Ammunition Framework 2024 for West and Central African states in Lomé

On 4 and 5 September 2024, representatives from 21 West and Central African countries gathered in Lomé, Togo, for a regional meeting organized by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and its Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC). The meeting focused on the implementation of the Global Framework for Through-life Conventional Ammunition Management, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2023. The conference provided a platform for countries, regional organizations, international partners, and civil society groups, including NGOs such as  the West African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA), the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), the Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies (BICC), and Mines Advisory Group (MAG), to discuss the critical challenges of ammunition management.

Overview of participants at the Informal Meeting on Global Ammunition Framework 2024 for West and Central African states in Lomé

The two-day conference was comprised of plenary sessions, small group exercises and presentations by thematic experts as well as interventions from a wide range of participants. The resulting insights and recommendations have been captured in an analytical paper which will be submitted as input to the upcoming intergovernmental processes. 

Discussions centered on sustainability, emphasizing the need for better coordination, harmonization of national laws, and the updating of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Participants highlighted the importance of aligning national frameworks with international standards, such as the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG), to strengthen regional cooperation and promote sustainable ammunition management practices. Enhanced collaboration among states and stakeholders was seen as essential to address ongoing challenges effectively.

Safety was another critical topic, with a focus on preventing accidental explosions through risk reduction measures. Participants discussed the importance of implementing systematic surveillance, rigorous monitoring, and secure storage practices. The need for regular inspections, safe disposal of obsolete ammunition, and the relocation of depots away from populated areas were highlighted as vital steps to minimize risks and enhance community safety.

With regard to security related issues, participants underscored the necessity of improving tracking, record-keeping, and marking of ammunition to prevent diversion and misuse. Strengthening these measures was identified as crucial for enhancing accountability and ensuring that ammunition does not fall into unauthorized hands. Participants also called for better data collection, cross-border cooperation, and the use of advanced technologies to secure ammunition stockpiles and prevent illicit trafficking.

Participants reporting conclusions from the plenary sessions

The meeting also highlighted the importance of gender inclusion in ammunition management, emphasizing the need to create an environment that supports and empowers women’s participation. Discussions focused on addressing cultural biases and stereotypes that limit women’s roles and contributions in the sector

This regional meeting marks a crucial step ahead in addressing the challenges of ammunition management in West and Central Africa. As a way forward, participants are expected to build on the insights and recommendations shared during the meeting to strengthen national and regional actions.

Looking ahead, the next global conference scheduled for June 2025 in New York will serve as a critical platform for reviewing progress and setting the agenda for the continued implementation of the Global Framework. The conference will launch the dedicated follow-up and review process, providing an opportunity for states, NGOs, and other stakeholders to reaffirm their commitments and explore further actions to enhance ammunition management worldwide.

Family picture the Informal Meeting on Global Ammunition Framework 2024 for West and Central African states in Lomé

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Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR), September 2024 – A landmark event in disarmament and peace efforts unfolded as the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC) played a role in the 2024 continental launch of the African Union's September African Amnesty Month (AAM) by the African Union Peace and Security Council. Held in Bangui, CAR, from September 9-10, the event marked another step toward reducing illicit arms across Africa under the African Union's "Silencing the Guns" initiative. 144 pieces of AK 47 arms were destroyed during the event.

Strengthening Partnerships to Bolster Peace

The presence of UNREC Director Anselme Nahmtante Yabouri at this year's launch in Bangui was instrumental in reinforcing the collaboration between the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and African regional bodies. Ambassador Churchill Ewumbue-Monono, Chair of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU-PSC) for September, commended UNODA’s political, technical, and financial support, praising the involvement that extended beyond the launch events. UNODA’s assistance has been invaluable, from facilitating MINUSCA’s logistical support for the symbolic destruction of illicit arms to providing financial support to the Regional Center on Small Arms for the Horn of Africa, the Great Lakes Region and Neighboring countries (RECSA) which acted as implementing partner.

This mission highlighted the integration of Weapons and Ammunition Management (WAM) with Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR), and Community Violence Reduction (CVR) efforts, with the potential for a tailored project to assist CAR in preparation for its first municipal elections after the civil war. The proposed WAM-DDR-CVR project, suggested by the AU-PSC Chair, would provide essential support to fragile government institutions, ensuring that the disarmament process contributes to long-term stability.

Building Synergies with MINUSCA and CAR Authorities

UNREC Director discussions with MINUSCA leadership, in particular Special Representative of the Secretary-General Valentine Rugwabiza, deepened UNODA’s understanding of the security and political dynamics in the country. Key discussions centered on strengthening partnerships to advance disarmament and reintegration efforts, particularly considering CAR’s fragile post-conflict context.

Furthermore, interactions with CAR government officials underscored the need for continued assistance in arms control and disarmament. These discussions revealed gaps in CAR’s capacity to manage small arms and light weapons (SALW) and reaffirmed the necessity of tailored support.

Elevating UNODA’s Visibility

The mission also provided a platform for UNODA to showcase its mandate across Africa. Extensive media coverage, including by UN Radio Guira, helped to elevate the visibility of UNODA’s ongoing disarmament work, reinforcing its status as a key player in nonproliferation efforts across the continent. 

Key Outcomes and Recommendations

This mission to Bangui not only strengthened UNREC’s partnerships with AU, MINUSCA and CAR but also identified critical areas for targeted support, including capacity-building for government institutions, particularly in WAM, DDR, and CVR. The success of the symbolic destruction of illicit arms during the event exemplified the collaboration between international and national actors in the fight against the proliferation of illegal weapons. Moving forward, UNODA will focus on developing projects and continuing its advocacy to further peace and security in CAR and beyond.

A Webinar on gender integration in small Arms Control Measures in Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali and Sierra Leone, on 11 December 2023.

On 11 December, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC) launched the first webinar in a series on “Taking stock of gender-responsive actions into small arms control measures.”    The webinar, organized in support of the Program of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (PoA), was attended by officials of Burundi, Cameroon and Sierra Leone,  who have taken part in the project’s implementation...

Find more with this webstory link: Integrating gender-responsive actions into small arms control measures: A review of progress made by Burundi, Cameroon, and Sierra Leone – UNODA

A scoping mission was jointly conducted by UNDP and UNREC from 27 November to 1 December 2023 in Accra, Ghana, in the framework of the SALIENT Project.

ODA and UNDP led SALIENT scoping mission to Ghana debriefs virtually and seeks guidance from the Resident Coordinator on preliminary findings and key recommendations.

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Last 24th october , UNREC celebrates alongside the unct ,the United Nations Day, sensitizing its work in promotion of peace and disarmament in Africa at a fair held in a local market place.

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National workshop on strengthening the implementation of the BWC kickstart on 9 Oct. at UNREC premises.

As part of the project entitled "Supporting the universalization and effective implementation of the 
Convention in Africa", the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and its 
Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and its United Nations Regional Center for Peace and 
Disarmament in Africa (UNREC) are organizing from October 9 to 10 at UNREC headquarters in Lomé (Togo) 
a National Awareness Workshop on the Convention on the Prohibition of Biological and Toxin Weapons 
and on the Preparation and Submission of Confidence-Building Measures in Togo.
The workshop, made possible with the financial support of France and the Global Partnership Against 
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and related materials, will bring together some 30 Togolese 
representing over a dozen governmental and civil society stakeholders, as well as international
as well as international experts from Mali, the Kingdom of Morocco and UNODA.
The workshop provided an opportunity to exchange views on the importance and functioning of the Biological Weapons Convention, and to share best practices. 
as well as the sharing of experience in its implementation at national level, in order to best support 
Togolese efforts and priorities. Particular emphasis will be placed on 
training on the preparation of Confidence Building Measures in Togo.
The aim of the event is to: (i) raise awareness of the importance and relevance of the 
of the BWC; (ii) provide assistance 
assistance in drafting BWC implementing legislation; (iii) support the preparation and submission of 
and submission of confidence-building measures; and (iv) facilitate the creation or designation of national 
contact points (NCPs).
The Biological Weapons Convention, adopted on April 10, 1972 and in force since 
March 26, 1975, was the first multilateral disarmament treaty to ban an entire category of weapons 
of mass destruction. With 185 States parties, the BWC established an unequivocal norm against biological 
biological weapons, while facilitating assistance, international cooperation and capacity-building in fields 
in areas such as biological science and technology, and preparedness and response to 
and response to deliberate biological threats.

From 13 to 15 June 2023, UNREC participated (presentations and panel discussions) in the 
Regional Workshop on “Universalization and Effective Implementation of the Biological 
Weapons Convention (BWC) in Northern Africa”, in Rabat, Morocco.

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