Improving security in the Democratic Republic of the Congo through weapons and ammunition management

CISR
 

SUMMARY: Since its independence in 1960, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has undergone significant political turmoil. The resurgence of armed conflict since 1996 has displaced thousands across the country and resulted in proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons (SA/LW), which remains a serious concern. The diversion of SA/LW and ammunition from state-owned stockpiles is linked to poor or insufficient weapons and ammunition management (WAM) capacity, practices, and procedures, and has been identified as a major cause of illicit arms and ammunition proliferation in the DRC. The trafficking, accumulation, and misuse of SA/LW and related ammunition pose a systemic and pervasive threat to peacebuilding and hampers long-term socioeconomic development. Installation of weapon storage solutions as well as the provision of WAM training, as implemented by the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), is helping to improve the security situation in the DRC. Moreover, these activities support the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) mandate to establish a protective environment for civilians in conflict-affected areas. Additionally, it is in alignment with the National Action Plan for Control of SA/LW in the DRC 2018-2022 (NAP 18-22), implemented by the National Commission for the Control of SA/LW and Reduction of Armed Violence (CNC-ALPC).


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Published: Friday, January 29, 2021

Last Updated: Thursday, November 2, 2023

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