“Everything is stored in the same place: weapons, grenades and ammunition. The store is not secure enough and it is also close to a public road, shops and houses.”
The scenario described by Chief Keita, an armoury storekeeper with the Malian Defence and Security Forces based near the western city of Koulikoro, is typical of many weapons storage facilities in the country – and indeed the entire Sahel-West Africa region.
Such unsecured weapons and ammunition can bring devastation.
The recent conflict in Mali is an example, with the uncontrolled flow of weapons from Libya instrumental in fuelling an armed rebellion that resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries, significant displacement of populations, and increased political tension throughout the region.
Precariously managed ammunition also poses the risk of explosions.
Securing weapons and ammunition is therefore vital to prevent further conflict, protect civilians and ensure peace and economic development.
The armoury at Koulikoro was one of 32 assessed by MAG in October 2014, along with others in Ségou, Sikasso and Kayes. So far, 17 have been rehabilitated or newly constructed, and 34 storekeepers and managers have been trained in weapons and ammunition management.
“The training went very well and I learnt a lot," said the storekeeper for a police force unit where a containerised armoury – an innovative and cost-effective initiative consisting of a refabricated shipping container with lockable weapon racks – was recently installed.
"I am from the old school and I didn’t receive any training [in the past]. Now I am properly trained and was recently promoted to work in a bigger armoury. I will make sure to pass on my knowledge to my replacement – but I will keep the manual that MAG gave me!”
Commandant Bamba, PSSM Liaison Officer from the Chief of Staff Office – in charge of advising authorities on PSSM (Physical Security and Stockpile Management) – said, “I am very pleased with the work and the results are visible on the ground. It is useless to have new armouries if we don’t have trained storekeepers, so training is very beneficial for us and we hope that MAG can conduct more training.”
“MAG has improved Mali’s securitisation of weapons and ammunition, and supports the National Commission on SALW to fight against the proliferation of arms."
“With MAG, the whole country wins!”
Additionally, as part of a request from UNMAS, MAG worked with the Malian Defence Security Forces to provide training and equipment for weapons cutting. So far more than 10,000 weapons have been destroyed, and 12 personnel have been trained to continue this important work.
Arms Management and Destruction in Sahel-West Africa
Mali is part of MAG’s regional Arms Management and Destruction programme for Sahel-West Africa, a regional project co-funded by the US Department of State's Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement and the German Federal Foreign Office. Work began in Mali in October 2014 when MAG conducted technical risk assessments of weapons storage facilities in the country, in cooperation with the Bonn International Centre for Conversion, the National Small Arms and Light Weapons Commission, and the Malian Defence and Security Forces, with support from the German Federal Foreign Office.
Assessing needs is key to MAG’s work: an assessment team evaluates the condition of the infrastructure and its surroundings, the condition of the weapons and ammunition stockpiles, as well as the stockpile management procedures and processes in place.
During the assessment, MAG technical experts engage with the storekeepers and store managers to discuss their professional training and experience in order to identify training needs.
Specific recommendations are provided to local and national authorities. If the storage of weapons and ammunition present an imminent threat, the MAG technical experts provide immediate recommendations to improve security and safety, such as the construction and rehabilitation of facilities, destruction of ammunition, and training of personnel in weapons and ammunition management. An intervention plan is then designed to map out the implementation of these recommendations.
MAG's Arms Management and Destruction work in Mali is supported by the German Federal Foreign Office, which along with the US State Department's Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement supports MAG's regional Sahel-West Africa programme.