Tackling Terror
How the Arms Trade Treaty Could Stop the Diversion of Arms and Ammunition in West Africa
The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) can be an important tool in tackling the flow of arms and ammunition terrorists and armed groups in West Africa.
A new case study produced by the ATT Monitor shows that if States faithfully apply the ATT’s obligations, and if the Treaty is implemented in tandem with other relevant global and regional instruments, they could have a significant impact on the leakage of weapons into the hands of terrorist groups. This comes against a backdrop of rising violence against civilians in the region, with more than 3,700 civilians killed by armed groups in West Africa in 2014 alone.
The case study investigates three examples of the complex networks of arms proliferation in West Africa:
- Boko Haram in Nigeria and neighbouring countries
- AQIM and other armed actors in Mali
- Forces Nouvelles and other armed groups in Cote d’Ivoire.
