Reducing the human cost of weapons in Africa through policy support, capacity-building, security cooperation, and technical assistance in weapons and ammunition management in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration contexts

Lead Entity/ies
Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes (OSESG-GL)
Collaborating Partners
Entities within the United Nations System: the Department of Peace Operations; the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs; the UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR); UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS); the UN Development Programme (UNDP); the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA).
Other partners: Regional Centre on Small Arms and Light Weapons in the Great Lakes Region, the Horn of Africa and Bordering States (RECSA); African Union (AU); the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) National Commissions; Governments of DRC, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Duration
1 April 2025 - 31 March 2027
Location
Contact and Coordination Group (CCG) Member Countries: Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Approved Budget
$ 1,499,605
Description/outline
The project launch is pending final recruitment of the Project Manager. Meanwhile, early consultations with CCG focal points in Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda, as well as border officials, have begun to gather input and initiate coordination through the Special Envoy’s diplomatic missions.
Status
In progress

Synopsis

Objectives

The project aims to enhance the disarmament policy dialogue in Africa and strengthen the capacity of States in the Great Lakes regions to manage weapons and ammunition management within disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration contexts.

Components

The project’s support includes conducting a regional assessment of illicit SALW flows and existing mechanisms; delivering Weapons and Ammunition Management (WAM) baseline assessments; holding a quadripartite roundtable on disarmament; providing technical assistance to strengthen national SALW policies and frameworks; supporting border control cooperation among CCG Member States; and organizing a dissemination event at UN Headquarters.

Main achievements

The formal launch of the project is pending the finalization of the Project Manager’s recruitment, which is at an advanced stage. In the meantime, early consultations have been held with Contact and Coordination Group focal points in Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda, as well as border officials, to introduce the project, gather input on the regional launch meeting, and initiate coordination. These engagements were carried out through the Special Envoy’s diplomatic missions.

Impact

By improving Small Arms and Light Weapons and Weapons and Ammunition Management practices, the project contributes to reducing diversion to armed groups through better stockpile management, border control, and regional collaboration.