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PEACE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
The independent resource on global security

SIPRI Background Papers

Arms Transfers to Zimbabwe: Implications for an Arms Trade Treaty

Zimbabwe has suffered from high levels of political violence since 2000. While some states and the EU have responded by imposing arms embargoes, other states have expressed no concerns about the situation. The case of Zimbabwe illustrates the difficulties in maintaining responsible export principles when key members of the international community are not convinced that internal repression is a sufficient reason to interfere with a country’s sovereign right to buy arms.

Ukrainian Arms Supplies to Sub-Saharan Africa

Ukraine has consistently been among the 10 largest arms exporters in the world during the past two decades. An estimated 18 per cent of Ukrainian arms exports during 2005-2009 were for recipients in sub-Saharan Africa, specifically to Kenya (or Southern Sudan), Chad, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Ukraine has supplied surplus aircraft, tanks, armoured vehicles, artillery, SALW and ammunition to armed forces in sub-Saharan Africa.

South African Arms Supplies to Sub-Saharan Africa

Despite efforts by South Africa’s well-developed arms industry and its government to position the country as a key supplier of arms to African countries, exports to sub-Saharan African destinations do not account for a significant share of South African arms exports. The driving force of South African arms exports to sub-Saharan destinations appears to be maximizing turnover for the industry and earnings from the sale of surplus equipment.

Arms Flows and the Conflict in Somalia

The combination of conflict and weak governance in Somalia has had a devastating impact on civilians as well as exacerbating regional tensions and facilitating the rise of piracy. This Background Paper examines recent arms supplies to Somalia and to other African countries that have directly supported Somali armed actors, both government and opposition. It discusses the effects of the United Nations arms embargoes on Somalia and Eritrea and presents the risks that are involved in supplying arms to even those actors not under embargo.

 

 

Arms Transfers to the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Assessing the System of Arms Transfer Notifications, 2008–10

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been subject to a United Nations arms embargo since 2003. In 2008 the UN Security Council lifted the last remaining restrictions on arms acquisitions by the Congolese Government, but maintained a requirement that states supplying arms notify the Sanctions Committee on the DRC prior to delivery. Ensuring that the Congolese system works as intended is of importance for improving the situation in the DRC but also has implications for the use of such systems in other conflict zones.

The EU Non-proliferation Clause: A Preliminary Assessment

The European Union (EU) introduced the non-proliferation clause, also known as the WMD clause, in 2003 as a way to encourage its non-EU partners to enhance their participation in and implementation of multilateral non-proliferation instruments. This paper critically surveys the record of implementation of the WMD clause. In particular, it examines how the EU has fared—and sometimes failed—in its efforts to include the WMD clause in agreements with third countries. Finally, it poses fundamental questions about how the implementation record to date affects the prospects for the clause.

Arms Transfers to Asia and Oceania

United Nation member states are currently discussing the feasibility of an arms trade treaty (ATT) which would seek to create better controls on international arms transfers. This Background Paper is one of a series produced by SIPRI to inform these discussions.

Military spending in Asia and Oceania is increasing and it is by far the biggest arms-importing region. This has been enabled by strong economic growth and is largely driven by tensions between states in the region. Particularly significant is the acquisition of weapons for long-range operations.

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