Peter Danssaert
Post-shipment control of small arms and light weapons
October 24, 2022The illicit trade of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and their ammunition, parts and components remains a serious international problem in many States. To prevent the illicit trade in conventional weapons and to prevent their diversion to the illicit market, all States have made commitments since 2001 to establish stronger systems that will ensure responsible control of arms transfers. A coher
States gather to tackle illicit trade in small arms and light weapons
July 11, 2022Arms Trade Bulletin May – June 2022 Here are some of the highlights from the Eighth Biennial Meeting of States to consider the implementation of the programme of action (PoA) to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects (BMS8), which was held in New York City, between 27 June and 1 July 2022. The draft outcome document is available here
Small arms and light weapons proliferation and violence: Estimating its scale and forms
June 1, 2022aSmall arms and light weapons are widely available and easy to use, so they are the most prominent tools in contemporary armed conflicts as well as in armed criminal and interpersonal violence in non-conflict settings. To grasp the global scale of SALW proliferation and the patterns of violence committed with SALW, this briefing paper summarizes the available data which is considered reliable from
Arms Trade Bulletin January – February 2022
April 12, 2022Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and arms transfers in the framework of international law Synopsis By Peter Danssaert & Brian Wood The international crisis and threat to world peace presented by the massive Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has thrown up difficult questions, not least of which is how the international community can assist the Ukrainian armed forces defend the country’
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and arms transfers in the framework of international law
April 11, 2022The international crisis and threat to world peace presented by the massive Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 has thrown up difficult questions, not least of which is how the international community can assist the Ukrainian armed forces defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. In doing so, it is tempting to think of the situation only in military terms, leaving aside wha
Arms Trade Bulletin November – December 2021
January 31, 2022SUB-SAHARA AFRICA AND THE ARMS TRADE, 2021 by Peter Danssaert Since 2014 the Early Warning Project (1) has produced an annual global assessment of countries at risk of a new outbreak of mass killings. Eighteen African countries are listed in the “Top 30 countries by estimated risk of new mass killing, 2021-2022” – the remainder are located in Asia. Out of the fifteen countries with ongoing (+) mas
Africa armed violence and the illicit arms trade
December 1, 2021Brian Wood and Peter Danssaert recently contributed a chapter on Africa’s illicit arms trade to ‘Gun Trafficking and Violence. From the Global Network to the Local Security Challenge’ edited by David Pérez Esparza, Carlos A. Pérez Ricart, and Eugenio Weigend Vargas (2021). In this chapter the authors consider major structural factors contributing to the illicit trade of small arms and li
Arms Trade Bulletin August – October 2021
November 9, 2021BOOK REVIEW The Palgrave Handbook of Small Arms and Conflicts in Africa (2021) (https://www.palgrave.com/gp/book/9783030621827) Peter Danssaert The Palgrave Handbook of Small Arms and Conflicts in Africa addresses the internal and external factors that influence the proliferation and regulation of small arms in Africa. The Handbook is divided into 46 chapters and counts 1,000+ pages. Refreshingly
Arms Trade Bulletin May – June 2021
July 5, 2021SOUTH AFRICA ACCUSED OF ILLEGALLY APPROVING MILITARY EXPORTS TO GROSS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATORS Peter Danssaert & Brian Wood In March 2021 a South African non-governmental organisation, Open Secrets, released a detailed report accusing the government of approving military exports to armed forces alleged by UN experts to be perpetrating war crimes in Yemen. South African military exports to Myanma
Contributions to ‘The Arms Trade Treaty. Weapons and International Law (2021)’
June 1, 2021IPIS is happy to present Peter Danssaert and Brian Wood’s contributions to ‘The Arms Trade Treaty. Weapons and International Law’ edited by Clare Da Silva and Brian Wood (2021). Peter Danssaert co-authored ‘Article 8: Import’ and ‘Article 9: Transit or Trans-Shipment’. Brian Wood co-edited the book and wrote ‘Article 10: Brokering’, and co-authored ‘Article 7: Export and Export Assessment’. Link t
IPIS Briefing March 2021 – Africa: armed violence and the illicit arms trade
April 2, 2021The IPIS briefing offers a selection of articles, news and updates on natural resources, armed conflict, Business & Human Rights and arms trade. Every month, an editorial and related publications shed a light on a specific topic in IPIS’ areas of research. In focus: Africa – armed violence and the illicit arms trade In the news: Guards at Petra Diamonds’ Tanzanian Mine deliberately modified a
Arms Trade Bulletin January – February 2021
February 26, 2021AFRICA AND THE REGULATION OF TRANSNATIONAL ARMS BROKERING African countries face an ongoing threat from the consequences of unregulated arms brokering but this cannot be solved by remedial action in Africa alone. Cases show that criminal justice and United Nations Security Council responses to mass atrocities and other serious violations of international law can sometimes ensure accountability and
Arms Trade Bulletin November – December 2020
January 15, 2021ETHIOPIA’S MILITARY OFFENSIVE IN TIGRAY ACCOMPANIED BY ATROCITIES AND INTERNAL REPRESSION: ETHIOPIAN GOVERNMENT REJECTS INTERNATIONAL CRITICISM On 4 November 2020 the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) launched a military offensive against the Tigray regional government. Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed dubbed it a “law enforcement operation” reportedly “to restore the rule of law and the
Africa and the regulation of transnational arms brokering: challenges to implement international standards
December 1, 2020Brian Wood and Peter Danssaert contributed a chapter on transnational arms brokering for the Ethiopian Yearbook of International Law 2019, edited by Zeray Yihdego, Melaku Geboye Desta, Martha Belete Hailu (2020). Abstract: African countries face an ongoing threat from the consequences of unregulated arms brokering but this cannot be solved by remedial action in Africa alone. Cases show that crimin
Arms Trade Bulletin July – August 2020
September 11, 2020Pompeo covers up US failure to address Yemen civilian casualties from US munitions exports On the 11th August 2020 the Department of State Office of Inspector General (OIG) released its report on the investigation into Secretary Pompeo’s May 24, 2019 emergency determination made under the Arms Export Control Act for the sale or transfer of over $8.1 billion in defence articles and services to the
Arms Trade Bulletin March – April 2020
May 14, 2020UNITED STATES SANCTIONS ENFORCEMENT POLICY On 9th March 2020 the Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) of State for Counter Threat Finance and Sanctions presented the United States Government’s sanctions policy and future sanctions enforcement posture at an event organised by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. The measures will impact the global maritime industry. (1) “The message from these ac
Arms Trade Bulletin January – February 2020
March 6, 2020THE LIBYAN CONUNDRUM Since ousting Gaddafi in 2011 Libya has succumbed into chaos. The country is since 2014/15 split into two factions: the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA), which enjoys UN recognition, and the Tobruk-based Libyan House of Representatives. Despite a UN arms embargo both sides receive material support from various countries. The Libyan House of Representatives is
Africa and the ‘grey market’
February 8, 2020Arms brokering or inter-mediation is a commercial activity within the international arms trade that is difficult to regulate. Arms brokers often operate transnationally, so often escaping or avoiding national trade controls in their home countries and the countries where transactions have taken place. Their transnational operations also create “grey” markets, which sometimes fuel illicit markets.
Arms Trade Bulletin November – December 2019
January 17, 2020THE CASE FOR ON-SITE INSPECTIONS South Africa has decided to block arms exports to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Algeria after these countries refused to allow South African officials to inspect their facilities to verify compliance with the South African National Conventional Arms Control Act and South African National Conventional Arms Control Regulations. The clause in the end-us
Defence-related companies in Africa
January 1, 2020Africa’s domestic defence industry remains relatively unknown. Therefore, the International Peace Information Service (IPIS) and Omega Research Foundation have compiled a database of the main entities comprising this industry, including companies that manufacture, assemble or maintain: arms and ammunition; aeronautical components; vehicles; as well as importing and management companies. This data