MAG is working in Mali as part of our regional Sahel programme to help governments improve arms and ammunition management.
Arms management and destruction has become a priority for many states that have amassed large stockpiles due to conflict, cross-border insecurity and the prevalence of non-state armed groups.
Likewise, the international community has recognised the need to reduce the risk of diversion and unplanned explosions by encouraging better control of weapons and munitions stores.
MAG is providing technical expertise under the programme, which is supported by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs and US State Department's Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement. Activities include:
• Technical risk assessments of weapons and munitions stores
• Cutting of small arms and light weapons
• Specialist training
• Refurbishment of armouries and munitions depots to make them safer and more secure.
• Destruction of unserviceable small arms ammunition
Currently, MAG is working with the Malian Defence and Security Forces (MDSF) to destroy about 10,000 weapons at a permanent facility located 15km from Bamako. MAG is providing both technical expertise and circular saws which will be used to cut identified weapons.
MDSF identified eight of their personnel to attend a five-day weapons cutting training course organised by MAG, which took place on 3 and 7-10 October 2014.
After training was completed the weapons cutting ceremony took place on 16 October 2014. This ceremony was attended by a variety of representatives from the MDSF, the National Commission for SALW, the US Embassy, the German Embassy, the French Embassy, UNMAS and MAG.
Since weapons cutting began, more than 3,000 weapons have been destroyed.