MAG and SALW

As the scale of the small arms and light weapons (SALW)[1] problem has become apparent across the world, MAG has been increasingly involved in addressing the threat posed by these items. The illicit proliferation of SALW prolongs conflicts, causes instability, undermines development, and is now well established as the leading threat to human security globally. MAG is currently undertaking SALW projects in Burundi, Cambodia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Iraq and Sudan. In addition, MAG conducted an assessment to the Central African Republic during February 2008 and is currently seeking funding for operations there.

Burundi:

MAG is working to reduce the SALW threat in Burundi through the destruction of Man-portable air-defence systems (MANPADS) and other weapons, and through ensuring safe storage of weapons and ammunition currently stored at the military logistics base in Bujumbura. Activities are carried out in partnership with the Burundi Army. In June 2008, 46 MANPADS and 188 rifles were destroyed.

Cambodia:

MAG continues to address the threat of SALW across Cambodia through the deployment of five Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams country wide. As a result of the large amount of SALW found in East Cambodia, MAG is planning to deploy SALW specialist teams in Kampong Cham province to find and destroy specific SALW items, as well as other UXO as needed.

In June 2008 the EOD teams conducted 234 tasks in 104 villages in Krong Pailin and the provinces of Battambang, Kampong Thom and Kampong Cham. A total of 1,218 SALW items were destroyed, including 60mm mortars (469), 82mm mortars (210), B40 propelled grenades (110), PG2 propelled grenades (109), PG7 propelled grenades (42) and M40 rifle grenades (100). These activities benefited 1,952 people in total.

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC):

MAG DRC launched a nationwide SALW programme in September 2006. In May 2007 MAG received written authorisation from the Ministry of Defence to destroy surplus military stocks in all Military Regions. Also in May 2007, a destruction centre was established by MAG at the Central Logistics Base in Kinshasa with funding from the United States Department of State.

In June 2008 the Technical Operations Manager conducted an assessment mission in the 7th Military Region (Maniema). He was accompanied by the Technical Field Manager, leading one of the newly-trained SALW mobile teams funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At the same time, the mobile teams based in Mbuji-Mayi prepared for their upcoming deployments in Kasai Oriental and Maniema, planned for July 2008.

One of the SALW mobile teams funded by the United States Department of State, Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (WRA) performed Quality Assurance on MAG destruction sites around Mbandaka in the 3rd Military Region (Equateur). The other WRA-funded team prepared a destruction in Kamina in the 6th Military Region (Katanga). Most MAG SALW teams have now received medical training by Global Medic and the remaining teams will be trained in July 2008. Due to circumstances beyond MAG's control, destruction of weapons at the Central Logistics Base has been temporarily suspended, but is expected to resume shortly.

Iraq:

Iraq has been subjected to protracted and intense conflict for over 25 years is one of the countries most affected by SALW. The conflict in 2003 led to further, extensive SALW contamination and resulted in large numbers of unsecured and abandoned stockpiles and caches of SALW.

During the month of June 2008, MAG SALW teams deployed from four operation bases (Diyana, Dahuk, Sulaimaniyah and Chamchamal) and completed 234 emergency SALW destruction tasks in Erbil, Sulaimaniyah, Dahuk, Mosul, Kirkuk and Diyala governorates. During this month 4,555 SALW items were safely destroyed in 79 different villages across the six northern governorates mentioned above. Items destroyed included different types of shells, mortars, bullets, RPGs, fuses and other explosive items. Two new SALW response teams and one new Community Liaison team were recruited in June. Twelve new staff were trained to undertake small arms and light weapons tasks in Chamchamal.

MAG would like to express our gratitude to the following current donors to our SALW projects around the globe: Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, U.S. Department of State; Conflict Prevention Pool (UK Government); Royal Government of the Netherlands; Isle of Man Government / Manx Landmine Action.

For more information on this or any of MAG's programmes across the world please visit www.maginternational.org.

1 MAG uses the term Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) to refer to all lethal conventional munitions that can be carried by an individual or a light vehicle, and that also do not require a substantial logistical and maintenance capability (SEESAC definition). This includes military-style automatic rifles, machine guns, man-portable anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and light mortars (PM/WRA definition) and their associated ammunition.