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Preface
Arms procured from abroad play an important yet ambiguous role in the peace and security of sub-Saharan African. In some cases they fuel the many conflicts that afflict the region; in others they are used for legitimate defence or by multilateral peace operations. The widespread concerns about the risks of arms transfers to sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere has resulted in regional and global discussions about the need for regulation; of these, the efforts to agree an international arms trade treaty (ATT) are the most prominent. At the national level, civil society groups—in sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere—try to engage in debates about the economic and security wisdom of arms procurement and export decisions.
To promote and inform these discussions between governments and within civil society in both sub-Saharan Africa and supplier countries, this Policy Paper provides an overview of arms procurement, arms supplies and the use of arms in the region. It is an element of SIPRI’s long-standing efforts to monitor international arms transfers—efforts which remain essential, given the continuing secrecy surrounding arms procurement and transfers. A single report like this cannot completely cover the issue. However, it is rich in detail and will support future debate by pointing the reader at key open sources of relevant information and by underlining the need for greater transparency. Monitoring and analyzing arms transfers will continue to be of importance for both sub-Saharan Africa and the rest of the world and SIPRI will maintain its efforts to support relevant debate, policymaking and policy implementation with objective and verifiable data.
Thanks are due to the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs for its generous financial support for the research that led to this publication and for the maintenance of the SIPRI Arms Transfers Database. The authors are grateful for the comments received from Guy Lamb of the Institute for Security Studies, Pretoria, and from SIPRI colleagues Mark Bromley, Hugh Griffiths, Dr Paul Holtom and Sharon Wiharta. Special mention should also be given for the invaluable advice and support provided by Dr David Cruickshank of the SIPRI Editorial and Publications Department. Finally, thanks are due to Noel Kelly, who has played an important role by maintaining the archives of the SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme.
Dr Bates Gill
Director, SIPRI
December 2011
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