斯德哥尔摩国际和平研究所-Arms-transfers-to-Central-North-and-West-Africa_16页_332kb

Summary of ARMS TRANSFERS TO CENTRAL, NORTH AND WEST AFRICA

I. Introduction

The United Nations is currently discussing the feasibility of an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) to enhance control over international arms transfers. The European Union (EU) supports this initiative by funding regional seminars organized by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR). This paper is part of a series of region-specific Background Papers by SIPRI, aimed at informing these discussions. It focuses on Central, North and West Africa, providing an overview of arms transfers and assessing transparency in these processes.

II. Arms Transfers to the Region

• Volume of Arms Imports: From 2004 to 2008, Central, North and West African states imported only 3% of the world's major conventional weapons.
• Military Expenditure: In 2007, total military expenditure in the region was $9.5 billion, accounting for 0.7% of global military expenditure.
• Major Importers:
  • Algeria: 41% of the regional total
  • Morocco: 25%
  • Nigeria: 10%
  • Libya: 7%
• Notable Acquisitions:
  • Algeria acquired 180 T-90 tanks, 28 Su-30MK combat aircraft, 2 submarines, and significant air defense systems from Russia.
  • Morocco ordered 24 F-16C combat aircraft from the US, 1 FREMM frigate from France, and 3 SIGMA-90 frigates from the Netherlands.
  • Libya is expected to become a major recipient of arms.
• Purpose of Acquisitions:
  • Counter-insurgency capabilities
  • Maritime patrol to combat smuggling and human trafficking
  • Political influence and resource access
• Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW):
  • SALW are commonly used in conflicts and pose a threat to regional stability.
  • Regional governments import significant quantities of SALW, but the purpose and distribution are often unclear.
  • ECOWAS has signed a convention to regulate SALW, but transparency remains low.

III. Transparency in Arms Transfers

• Limited Reporting: African states, including those in Central, North and West Africa, have limited participation in the UN Register of Conventional Arms (UNROCA).
  • Only 11 out of 27 countries in the region submitted reports from 1998 to 2007.
  • No country submitted more than six reports.
• Reasons for Low Transparency:
  • Lack of prioritization of reporting to UNROCA
  • Preference for data on SALW
• Transparency of Exporters:
  • Some arms exporting countries, such as Russia, publish detailed reports and submit data to UNROCA.
  • The ECOWAS Convention on SALW requires detailed reporting, but there is no indication that the information will be made public.

IV. Conclusions

• Challenges in ATT Debate:
  • Despite small arms imports, they have played a significant role in recent conflicts.
  • The need to distinguish between arms that provoke conflict and those that contribute to security is crucial.
  • Better coordination between arms exporters and importers is necessary to support the ATT.
• Transparency Obstacles:
  • Low transparency in arms transfers and procurement hampers informed debate and verification of the ATT's effectiveness.
  • Lessons from previous failures in UN arms embargoes are essential for future policy development.
• Need for Improved Mechanisms:
  • A more transparent system is required to assess the impact of arms transfers on regional stability.
  • The ECOWAS Convention on SALW is a step in the right direction, but its implementation needs to be monitored closely.