West african weapons The ambush of Russia’s Wagner soldiers and Malian forces by rebels with Ukrainian support raises concerns of the beginning of a proxy war between Russia and Ukraine in west Africa. By international standards, the West African bow – a simple bow firing normally fletchless arrows, with an effective range of about sixty yards’ was perhaps not a weapon of great efficacy, but at least in open country archers were superior to any other type of warriors (Law 1976: 113). 11 Subsequently, much progress has been made in the five main sub-regions of Africa. In Samori's case, he accumulated many firearms through trade with Freetown in Sierra Leone, but as trade could be cut off (and which eventually did happen), the impetus to manufacture the latest arms was clearly established. The total estimated cost in the area due to stolen goods, contracted maritime It is now targeting West African nations where French influence is waning, Danilo delle Fave, a specialist in Chinese security and researcher at the nonprofit International Team for the Study of Security Verona, told France 24. About 8 million are in the hands of non-state actors in west Africa. ‘Weapons from their land’: arming strategies and practices among West African-born soldiers in early nineteenth-century Bahia and Cuba. The third and final part of the Around 4,000 soldiers surrendered, along with 37 field and 22 machine guns. Search articles and podcasts. Illicit A secret defence document, stamped with the seal of Russia's double-headed eagle, currently sits on the desk of Senegal's Armed Forces Minister Birame Diop. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), The homemade weapons found in West Africa are typically rudimentary duplicates of existing firearms. Some communities are Khopesh. Inikori and W. Khopesh. Policy Brief 03 / April 2018 3 A study on arms-control Transnational Organized Crime in West Africa: A Threat Assessment. This knife was 22 inches long with three differently shaped blades protruding out from different angles of the shaft to maximize the Arising from the fluidity of human resources and services flow across the region is the menace of the transfer of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and its impacts on security across the sub The Dane gun was originally a type of long-barreled flintlock musket imported into West Africa by Dano-Norwegian traders prior to the mid-19th century. The widespread availability Curbing weapons proliferation is a priority and there’s no better time than now for countries in the Sahel to get behind the African Union’s 2020 focus on Silencing the Guns. The correspondence between the partners from 1748 to 1754 shows that the firm supplied guns not only to British merchants trading to West Africa but also to Portuguese, French and other European merchants in the trade. They include pistols, shotguns (e. ” One of the things Portuguese , Dutch, British, French, and other slavers traded for human beings were malleable bars of “voyage iron. Leather covers the section where the blade enters the ax. While violent extremist groups linked to Al Qaida and Islamic State are more likely to use industrially manufactured weapons, other non-state armed groups, such as traditional dents in West Africa is not actually related to clashes between armed groups and pro-governmental Economic Community of West African States, African Regional Bodies Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, their Ammunition and other Related Materials Published in official journal 49 on 1 June 2006 combat and eradicate illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in Africa; RECALLING Moratorium on Light Weapons West Africa; HEREBY SOLEMNLY DECLARE A MORATORIUM THE IMPORTATION, EXPORTATION AND MANUFACTURE OF LIGHT WEAPONS IN MEMBER STATES, WHICH SHALL TAKE THE FIRST OF NOVEMBER, 1998 A RENEWABLE PERIOD OF THREE (3) YEARS. (2009), “Managing Arms in Peace Proces ses: ECOWAS and the West African Civil Thoughout the African continent, blades produced as weapons—spears, swords, axes, and knives—have served defensive purposes and achieved warlike ends. African Weapons: Sling, Bow, Sjambok, Assegai, Knobkierrie, Rungu, Hunga Munga, Nzappa Zap, Kaskara, Seme. The video, which aired Sunday on PDF | On Jan 1, 2020, Goddy Osimen and others published The Role of ECOWAS in the Fight against the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in West-Africa Sub-Region | Find, read and cite The hilt is made of wood, bone, or horn and is often intricately decorated. Other edged weapons were made by these people, including the single percent of Africa’s illegal arms and 70 percent of over 10 million illegal weapons in circulation in West Africa, 90 per cent of which are in the hands of non-state actors, are in Nigeria6. The legacy of colonial-era gun The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) organised the Annual Meeting of National Commissions (NATCOM) on Small Arms in 2021 to review activities for the effective implementation of the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) under the theme, “Promoting transparency and information exchange Figure 27: Seizures of weapons in West Africa, 2008-2011 Source: Analysis of 38 major weapon seizures between 20 March 2008 and 14 November 201167 3 5 5 8 8 11 13 16 18 39 71 92 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Anti-personnel mines Craft-weapons Other conventional weapons Hand grenades Explosives Mortars Heavy machine guns Pistols Light machine guns Rocket The Fula jihads of West Africa, causing substantial transformation in that region on into the belt of Sudanic states; The increasing volume of guns delivered to the continent; The introduction of firearms was important, but guns on African battlefields were often of indifferent quality, and traditional weapons and tactics sometimes compared favorably with them. The threat from organised crime in West Africa is substantial, challenging the progress towards good governance, rule of law and ultimately compromising economic and human development. ISWAP is primarily active in the Chad Basin, and fights an extensive insurgency against the states of Nigeria, In West Africa, these weapons are cheap and widely available; they are also lightweight, and so can be used by child soldiers, who have played such a significant role in recent conflicts in West Africa”. These locally made guns, though less sophisticated than their European counterparts, played a significant role in regional conflicts and resistance movements. In so doing, it sought to mobilize a 37 field guns lost; 22 machine-guns lost; South African Republic: 124 killed; 300 dead from illness; 229 wounded [3] Ovambo. and ed. Liberia has used a series questionable end-user certificates to acquire military equipment from former communist In West Africa, the government of Malian President Alpha Oumar Konaré and the UN Development Programme collected and publicly destroyed over 3,000 weapons in a bonfire on 27 March 1996. South Africa has also maintained close ties with Russia, despite external pressure to distance itself from Moscow amid the Ukraine conflict. The blade was an elongated leaf shape with either a single or double cutting edge. Bidding for Weapons Ammunition tenders in West Africa is extremely lucrative for companies of all sizes. A brief overview of pre-colonial African warfare provides several other examples of 16th-century African armies with no firearms defeating gun-wielding Portuguese armies —from large kingdoms like Mutapa to smaller societies like the Khoe-san warriors. The Treaty prohibited the research, The West Africa—Sahel connection: Mapping cross These African weapons were short and used as backup weapons alongside a shield and a spear. The blade of this dance ax is a work of 'iron art'. Wisse , , op. cit. The use of horses as weapons on the Rifle from Bornu, Nigeria, collected in 1905. A growing market emphasis on consumer goods and weapons “signalled the relentless spread of slave-raiding and the erosion of West Africa’s own manufacturing capacity. 57 –8. 6) belongs to the Tiv or Jukun people in the middle-belt region of Nigeria. The weapon is an emblem traditional african societies African weapons are emblems of authority, social rank, Shoppers in Mali’s Gao, Timbuktu, and Ménaka regions can snap up AK-pattern assault rifles for $750 and cartridges for 70 cents apiece, from locally handcrafted pistols to smuggled French and Turkish machine guns, as [citation needed] These African iron weapons are thrown with a rotatory motion, and can inflict deep wounds with their projecting blades. The kanta (king) of Kebbi was killed with a poisoned arrow in 1513. June 18, 2024 June 18, 2024 Ikechukwu. Strategic Objective III: Strengthening national and regional capacities to prevent and West Africa & the Sudan Region. In West Africa, these weapons are cheap and widely available; they are also . Destroying As the commercial tentacles of West African states extended so, too, they came under the influence of Islam as great trade cities arose like Timbuktu. cancel. DIRECT the ECOWAS Executive Secretary, in collaboration It is about the history of Warfare and its evolution in Pre-colonial West African States through the revolutionary discovery of horses as weapons of war. They were also used in ceremonial dances and rituals. In The knobkerrie holds a significant and enduring place in the history and culture of Southern African and Eastern African tribes, including the Zulu people. Some communities are In West Africa, these weapons are cheap and widely available; they are also lightweight, and so can be used by child soldiers, who have Abstract: The conflict-ridden West African sub-region is a showcase of uncontrolled SALW proliferation. Sometimes, particular weapons proved militarily decisive. , German Sources for West African History, 1599-1669 (Wiesbaden, 1983)Google Scholar; idem, tr. Numbered 3098-R, the nine-page file is a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on military cooperation submitted by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin to the Senegalese authorities. The Sudan region of West Africa (not to be confused with the modern state of that name), where the Ghana Empire would develop, had been inhabited since the Neolithic period as is evidenced by Iron Age tumuli, megaliths and remains of abandoned villages. Many , however, were solely for ceremonial or ritual use, or displayed for prestige or status. g. G. All the axes in this collection are from the early 20th century and represent some of the very last styles of pieces made before the African iron market was flooded with imports and local production small arms and light weapons/ammunitions and human beings, especially women and children. In fact, the firm was aiso directiy concerned in the trade to Daily, new procurement opportunities for Weapons Ammunition are uploaded from thousands of sources including all West Africa official websites, West Africa local websites, newspapers and journals. Long, porous borders, and contested governance in vast territories further ease the movement of goods across national boundaries and through the region. . Blade – straight, double-edged, widening in a broad tip; Guard – / Handle – straight; Length – 15 to 31 inches (40 to 80 cm) Weight – 1 to 2 lbs (450 to 900 grams) 11. The proliferation of small arms constitutes a major source of destruction to lives and properties and exacerbates inter-communal tensions leading to full-fledge conflicts. The term is now used chiefly by Europeans living along the west African coast to generally describe any indigenously made firearm of this type. Throwing and stabbing knives, spears, daggers, and shields may bear bitter histories, The Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) is one of the regional economic communities (RECs) that make up the African continent and except for Cape Verde which is an island off the coast of Senegal on the Pacific Ocean, ECOWAS member states are geographically contiguous and include Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Lomé is set to host a pivotal gathering of West and Central African countries to review progress made and to set priorities for tackling illicit small arms and light weapons. Poisoned arrows were important weapons in the arsenal of West African armies. Attached report 3. Biobaku (ed. The Mande Blacksmiths: Knowledge, Power, and Art in West Africa. Blacksmiths held a unique position in West African societies, often perceived as possessing magical abilities due to their expertise in transforming metal. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has estimated some 8 million illicit small arms and light weapons are already present in West Africa, and Nigerian sources worry that 1 million such arms may be in Nigeria alone (Vines 2005). SALW therefore remain the primary weapons of intra- and inter-communal feuds, local wars, Stapleton has neatly organized the work into five regional chapters, with one each on North Africa, West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, and Southern Africa. The recent flood of 10,000 to 20,000 firearms Victims of chemical weapons attacks by the overthrown Baathist regime forces gathered in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Tuesday to demand that those responsible for "chemical massacres" be held The study, entitled Weapons Compass: Mapping Illicit Small Arms Flows in Africa, which was compiled by the Small Arms Survey in collaboration with the African Union Commission, comes just weeks The history of West Africa has been divided into its prehistory, the Iron Age in Africa, the period of major polities flourishing, the colonial period, The Iron industry, in both smelting and forging for tools and weapons, emerged in West Get the best deals on African Sword In other African Antiques when you shop the largest online selection at eBay. First, the period of European collecting of African weapons coincided with the peak of Europeans’ racially stigmatized views; they saw African weapons as overly violent in design and unworthy of celebration. 206. Learning Objectives. 10 The moratorium was later transformed into a convention in 2006. Although there are scanty data to prove that despite of the embolden insecurities and violent crimes, manufacture and or transfer diversion and embargo violation are predominant in the case of Chili peppers, fake medicine, fuel, gold, guns, humans, and more are being trafficked via millennia-old trade routes crisscrossing the Sahel, and the UN and partners are trying out new, collaborative ways to thwart those attempting the illegal practice, a growing problem in this fragile African region. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Moratorium on the Importation, Exportation and Manufacture of Small Arms and Light Weapons in West Africa (ECOWAS Moratorium) stands (2018). Through Timbuktu there passed such lucrative goods as ivory, In West Africa, these weapons are cheap and widely available; they are also lightweight, and so can be used by child soldiers, who have played such a significant role in recent conflicts in West Africa”. The Battery Press and the import large numbers of weapons into West Africa. The largest violent extremism and the management of conventional weapons in West Africa”, which took place from 5 to 7 December 2023 in Lomé, Togo. repr. STR Suspicious Transaction Report. In African communities, the shield (held on this warrior's left hand) and spear (held in One of the fundamental obstacles to peace and security in West Africa is the presence and continued proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW). Indeed, Africans Proliferation of S mall Arms and Light Weapons in West Africa: Handboo k for the . The Kpinga is one of the African throwing weapons preferred by the Azande of Nubia, and it was found in parts of Northern Sudan and Southern Egypt. Nuclear Weapons Occupations and Military Government Operational Art Ottoman Navy Pacifism Passchaendale, Battle of Patton, George Peacekeeping Peninsular War Polish With craft weapons selling between US$90 to US$150 in West Africa (depending on the type of firearm and level of technicality), the likes of Abdullah and Ibrahim can boast of a relatively comfortable standard of living. 1 Its main aim was to strengthen the contribution of conventional weapons and ammunition management (WAM) to efforts to prevent violent extremism (PVE) – and vice versa – in West Africa. Inikori's estimate of 45 per cent as the proportion of English firearms in the total annual West African import of between 283,000 and 394,000 guns per annum is probably an underestimate because of the unknown quantities of English guns which were re-exported from Continental ports to West Africa. Moratorium on Light Weapons in West Africa; HEREBY SOLEMNLY DECLARE A MORATORIUM ON THE IMPORTATION, EXPORTATION AND MANUFACTURE OF LIGHT WEAPONS IN ECOWAS MEMBER STATES WHICH SHALL TAKE EFFECT FROM THE FIRST DAY OF NOVEMBER 1998 FOR A RENEWABLE PERIOD OF THREE (3) YEARS. The African Union Peace and Security Council—supported by the AU Economic Social & Cultural Council (ECOSOCC)—met African regional organizations, and civil society representatives in Lusaka in November 2016 to devise a “Master Roadmap of Practical Steps to Silence the Guns in Africa by 2020” (African Union 2016; Dube 2020). These weapons include, among others, guns, pistols, AK 47s, machine guns, automatic guns, rockets, rocket launchers, anti-aircraft guns, grenades, Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and other related weapons, which can be operated by an individual, two persons, or a small group of people (SIPRI Year Book, 2019). 11 Indeed the 'slave How Blacksmiths Forged a Powerful Status Across the Continent of Africa. The mambele is also known as: Hunga Munga [1] Danisco by the Marghi [citation needed] [2] artisanal weapons made in West and Central Africa implies that there are limits to the supply. In 1998 the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) established the world's first small arms and light weapons West africa: insights into saLW Proliferation in the sub-region In West Africa, there are three main sources of SALW – extant stocks that are recycled; new imports, which may include brand-new weapons and ammunition as well as used weapons recycled from outside the sub-region; and local craft production in countries of the sub-region. The Regional Preparatory Meeting for the Fourth Review Conference on the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and African's were known for crafting unique weaponry during the pre colonial era which were then used for various activities like war, grazing, traditional ceremonies and some even for prestige. Some functioned as weapons. Funds for weapons purchases come from allied militant groups and the profits of various criminal activities, primarily kidnap for ransom and hostage trading. Takouba The European-looking African Takouba – Credits: Schola Gladitoria. Takouba blades were finely designed and would get passed along this trade route and sold to Europe and the Middle East. FIU Financial Intelligence Unit : TERRORIST West African bow - a simple bow firing normally fletchless arrows, with an effective range of about sixty yards" - was perhaps not a weapon of great efficacy, but at least in open country archers were "Yoruba Warfare and Weapons", in S. These distinctive swords, with their diversified shapes and sizes, are renowned for the elaborately adorned blades The primary sources of illicit weapons in Africa, according to the study, include national stockpiles and peacekeeping forces. The knife was a symbol of power The West African Yoruba people used a sword known as the Ida. by. Climate change and risk; Environment of Peace; Food, peace and security; Governance and society; Peacebuilding and resilience Declaration of a Moratorium on the Importation, Exportation and Manufacture of Light Weapons in West Africa. Since 1960, of the 15 member states that make up the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), most have been through several military coups, 37 of which were successful. Small arms and light weapons are used by various groups across Africa: militaries, insurgents, terrorists, vigilantes, herders, bandits and transnational Africa’s domestic defence industry remains relatively unknown. Between 1781 and 1789 Danish ships carried to the Gold and Slave Coasts 88,000–92,000 flintlock muskets and 176,000–180,000 lb. The diverse range of African swords provides a captivating glimpse into the continent’s extensive historical tapestry. [125] These included guns, ammunition, alcohol, indigo dyed Indian textiles, and other factory-made goods. The recent flood of 10,000 to 20,000 firearms from Libya does represent a serious threat to stability in the region, a threat that appears to have been realized in northern Mali. O. The firm was heavily involved in the production of guns for the West African trade. Traditional weapons were usually made from copper, brass, and particularly iron. The destruction of these Different types of weapons. single-barrel, double-barrel and automatic rifles) and ammunitions. 'Group of the People of Sunnah for Dawah and Jihad'), [25] is a self-proclaimed jihadist terrorist organization based in northeastern Nigeria and also active in Chad, Niger, northern Cameroon, and Mali. Discover the most terrifying African weapons of all time here. This strong, short wooden club features a heavy, rounded knob or head on one end, making it a versatile tool traditionally used as both a weapon in warfare and for ceremonial “There is an urgent and ongoing need to take a multi-faceted approach to prevent illegal weapons proliferating across West Africa, working closely with government and security forces in the region. These weapons diversions are largely due to battlefield loss, mismanagement, theft, and corruption. Slavery & Abolition: Vol. All of this equipment is designed to meet the needs This report is an overview of illicit small arms and light weapons (SALW) proliferation in West Africa, focusing on the implementation of sub-regional control instruments. com. Among the notable African weapons used are spears, bows, shields, arrows, and swords for some communities. AFRICAN BELL WITH MALLET PAINTED WOOD China’s expansion into the West African arms market is a shift in strategy for a country that has typically focussed its weapons sales on other African regions. Many enterprising West African rulers did try to acquire these weapons throughout the 19th century, primarily through trade or as gifts. This weapon is great from cutting wood to a nice tool to use in the battle. The smith curved the blade forward into a half circle, and then wiggled it upwards into a miniature spear. 23). Light weapons have been used by various terrorist groups in East, Central and West Africa. Margibi, 27th October 2022 – The Organised Crime: West African Response to Trafficking (OCWAR-T) Project today commenced the destruction of more than 105,400 arms, ammunition and explosives collected from counties across Liberia, including Bong, Montserrado, Lofa and Sinoe. [1] Whether Today, African weapons are rarely seen in museums for two reasons. A. The most famous sword of Africa is the ancient Egyptian Khopesh. Evaluate each period in the history of the Mali Empire. This scenario played out in the Sierra Leone civil war, where the proliferation of illicit SALW made possible through the assistance of neighbouring states- The challenge of sub-regional security in West africa Discussion PaPer 69 THe cHaLLenGe oF suB-reGionaL securiTY in WesT aFrica The case of the 2006 ecoWas convention on small arms and Light Weapons LinDa DarkWa norDiska aFrikainsTiTuTe T, uPPsaLa 2011. When talking about African weaponry, most Weapons of War. Each of these weapons, from the versatile Ida to the ceremonial Imbembe, is a testimony to the unique cultural practices and ingenious combat strategies developed over centuries. Join us. The Kilij sword, while not originally from Africa, had a significant influence on the development of some African weapons. Against Money Laundering in West Africa The Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) was established by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and SALW Small Arms and Light Weapons . The South African company Orbiflex in early October contacted the business development division of Armscor, Pretoria's state arms procurement agency, to present its military equipment catalogue. The faith in peace, of which economic development is an essential component, impels the people of West Africa towards a future free from the scourge of armed violence. This includes heavy machine guns, sniper rifles, ammunition of various calibres, aircraft bombs and attack drones. American Museum of Natural History. The homemade weapons found in West Africa are typically rudimentary duplicates of existing firearms. While violent extremist groups linked to Al Qaida and Islamic State are more likely to use industrially manufactured weapons, other non-state armed groups, such as traditional dents in West Africa is not actually related to clashes between armed groups and pro-governmental Effective weapons and ammunition management (WAM) can reduce the number of illicit conventional arms, including small arms and light weapons, and ammunition in circulation, prevent their diversion to appreciates the close cooperation with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in conducting WAM baseline assessments in West Africa. Weapons produced by blacksmiths have enabled both technical and cultural revolutions among African peoples. 25 killed; 100 wounded The South West Africa campaign was the conquest and occupation of German South West Africa by forces from the Union of South Africa The Campaign in German South-West Africa 1914–1915 (facs. The West African subregion is host to strings of violent armed conflicts. Blacksmiths have also transformed such weapons into insignia capable of artisanal weapons made in West and Central Africa implies that there are limits to the supply. The network involves more than sixteen member Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) Since 2009, Boko Haram, under the leadership of Abubakar Shekau, became infamous for its deadly insurgency in the Lake Chad Basin of West Africa and for its 2014 kidnapping of the 276 Chibok The proliferation of arms in west African cities, especially in the aftermath of conflicts in Libya (2011) and Mali (2012), has added to these challenges in Bamako, Mali’s capital. In African communities, the shield (held on this warrior's left hand) and spear (held in his right) were some of the most common weapons used. These weapons were used by various tribes for hunting, warfare, and self-defence. This scenario played out in the Sierra Leone civil war, where the proliferation of illicit SALW made possible through the assistance of neighbouring statesLiberia, Gabon, Burkina “There is an urgent and ongoing need to take a multi-faceted approach to prevent illegal weapons proliferating across West Africa, working closely with government and security forces in the region. Badmus I. Most of the illicit flow of weapons in the region is diverted or stolen from licit national stocks held by the police and military. Evolution of Warfare in Pre-Colonial West African States. Chidume et al. It took more than a AFRICAN KNIVES, SWORDS, AXES and SPEARS Those objects that have been vetted as authentic by outside experts (Christophe Rolley, Edith Mbella, Daniel Mato, Rand Ningali, Phil Warish and Ethan Rider) are labelled as such. Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso experience cross-border raids and attacks based on pastoral disputes between cattle herders The West African Action Network on Small Arms and Light Weapons in Africa (WAANSA) is a coalition of civil society organisations working in the field of small arms and light weapons and striving for human security. Kiev denies the allegations. From the 1730s to 1754 the‘Commercie-Compagnie’ of Middelburg exported annually to West Africa 15,000 guns and 28,100 lbs. Similarly, changes in the economy and culture affected military preparedness and warfare. This stunning example (fig. Increasing national and regional capacities in the field of small arms and light weapons control. Mercenarism and the recruitment and use of child soldiers in armed conflict, trans- of the West African borders also constitute common cross-border crimes. Their craft, critical to the development of tools, weapons, and ceremonial objects, was essential to the social and economic growth of various West African civilizations. They include pistols, shotguns (including single-barrel and double-barrel), automatic rifles and ammunition. Kpinga Image: instagram. They included swords, daggers, knives, spears, axes and shields. In West Africa a civil war that started with several hundred insurgents in Liberia in 1989 later triggered fighting in neighboring Sierra Leone, Cote D’Ivoire, and Guinea. or Best Offer. Efficient and elegant. A. $22. Within the internal and external environment of the West African sub-region are the Transnational Syndicates Footage broadcast by a major US television network revealed the extensive presence of US-supplied weapons in Gaza, drawing widespread criticism on social media. It also calls for further additional research on the Skilled artisans, particularly in West Africa, began crafting their own weapons, often incorporating traditional designs and materials. Articles Podcast About Submissions More. During the earliest contact of Africans with the Europeans and the introduction of firearms The latter included sending weapons, Russia-Africa Summit in 2019, convening the summit again in 2023 even as it also clashed with the Economic Community of West African States In line with its vision of denuclearizing the African continent, the African Nuclear-Weapons-Free-Zone treaty, otherwise known as the Pelindaba Treaty, was signed by member states of the defunct Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1996 and it came into effect in 2009. Eurocentric scholars often undermine the significant developments in African military history prior to colonialism; their narratives, frequently shaped by normative The Sahel region in Africa spans from the west to the east, where trade between north and sub-Saharan Arica took place. One quick Fundamental to the independence of a state is the functionality of its border control. Walter Rodney (), without fully acknowledging some limitations and weaknesses in Africa’s past, blames the imperialists for depriving Africans of their capacity to develop the resources of nature, administer themselves, and make military progress and for replacing these with Middle East and North Africa; Peace operations and conflict management; Peace and development. In countries such as Ghana, blacksmiths are even able to reproduce – at least in appearance – assault weapons, such as the AKM, a version of the well-known AK-47. By 2011, it had become an issue of global concern. New technology over the years spurred military reforms. [54] Although South Africa had desired to incorporate the territory into the Union officially, in 1919 the League of Nations granted only a Class C mandate to administer the colony until ready for self-government. Search. Guns and Ammo in Modern Africa. They are among thousands of gunsmiths and traffickers dotted across Ghana and the sub-region cashing in on this illicit activity. 10 For J. Because fundamentally human, this yearning for peace is legitimate. They are produced in large numbers by local blacksmiths, and are used mostly for Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea affects a number of countries in West Africa as well as the wider international community. Iron tools, weapons, musical instruments and sculptures tell a tale of centuries of the craft’s influence In West Africa, Efik slave dealers participated in slave dealing as a form of protection against enslavement. HORSES, FIREARMS AND POLITICAL POWER 115 The argument followed that 'the importation of guns was the principal reason for warfare within Africa and that it was by means of such wars that gun-toting Africans supplied the Atlantic economy with slaves'. Most of the West African borders are porous, thus, African's were known for crafting unique weaponry during the pre colonial era which were then used for various activities like war, grazing, traditional ceremonies and some even for prestige. Most notable weapons were the spears made using a long wooden sheath and a metallic head as well as the bow and arrows and shields often made from animal hide. Blacksmiths in West Africa are responsible for the production of agricultural tools and weapons but also for important regalia and protective amulets. 226-7, 239. The effects of imperialism have been recounted by many African authors and others. of gunpowder. Most notable weapons were the people of West Africa enunciated by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) already in 1975. Download the full PDF report; Download the key findings; there is very little need to import large numbers of weapons into West Africa. “You can’t imagine the number of guns around the country. ” Although other experts have instead classified the Kargu-2 as a loitering munition, its use in combat in northern Africa nonetheless points to a future where AI-enabled weapons are increasingly African throwing knives have a long history in African culture. [1] The homemade weapons found in West Africa are typically rudimentary, and are often duplicates of existing firearms. Whereas the development of iron metallurgy in North Africa and the Horn closely mirrors that of the Ancient Near East and Mediterranean region, the three-age system is ill-suited to Sub-Saharan Africa, where copper metallurgy generally does not precede iron working. But Beijing is not just competing The three West African states have accused Ukraine of arming and training rebels and jihadist insurgents responsible for terrorism in the Sahel region. Although the timeline 72 C. 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 In West Africa, these weapons are cheap and widely available; they are also lightweight, and so can be used by child soldiers, who have played such a significant role in recent conflicts in West Africa”. Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso experience cross-border raids and attacks based on pastoral disputes between cattle herders small arms and light weapons/ammunitions and human beings, especially women and children. This list may not reflect recent changes. Maasai MoransNational Museums of Kenya. The Niger River regularly flooded parts of this dry grassland and Iron metallurgy in Africa concerns the origin and development of ferrous metallurgy on the African continent. This scenario played out in Any weapons Boko Haram cannot steal or improvise can be purchased on the black market, including weapons trafficked from Eastern Europe, Libya and the post-conflict markets of West Africa. E. In 1998 the Economic Community of West African States Small Arms and Light Weapons in West Africa 1 Research Paper On INTERNAL SECURITY CHALLENGES OF WEAPONS PROLIFERATION IN WEST AFRICA By Albert Obi American Military University 26 October 2010 Small Arms and The Ikakalaka, also known as the African Konda sword, embodies a rich historical and cultural significance that traces back to the 19th century among the Mongo people in the northwestern regions of the present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo. [161] The second leg of the triangle exported enslaved Africans across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas and the Caribbean Islands. One of the most ancient swords of Africa is the Egyptian khopesh. [55] Despite this, South-West Africa became Soon after the South West African campaign Other useful recent publications include Jones, Adam, tr. Swords and knives in my collecdtion from Benin, Mali, Sierra Leone, Senegal including Tuareg weapons Atkinson Swords Wecome to my private collection of ethnographic swords, knives and other edged weapons! Arms tracking in West Africa and the Sahel continues to fuel armed conflict, crime, instability and violent extremism. 00. 39, Africa’s Sons Under Arms, pp. Hassane Koné, Senior Research Associate, ISS Office for West Africa, the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin African's were known for crafting unique weaponry during the pre colonial era which were then used for various activities like war, grazing, traditional ceremonies and some even for prestige. The Bamana staff, or ceremonial spear ( 1979. "Watch all new episod Community of West African States (ECOWAS) agreed on the Moratorium on the Importation, Exportation and Manufacture of Small Arms and Light Weapons in West Africa. An estimated 100 million light weapons circulate in Africa. Category: West African Armour & Weapons Yoruba Aringo Jagun (Ogun Ceremonial Axe), Nigeria, Late 19th To Early 20th century. Richards, the massive quantity of firearms imported into West Africa was central to the flourishing of the slave trade. Vandervort, Bruce. The plan was first The Mali Empire was an empire in West Africa that lasted from 1230 to 1600 and profoundly influenced the culture of the region through the spread of its language, laws, and customs along lands adjacent to the Niger River, as well as other areas consisting of numerous vassal kingdoms and provinces. 92 shipping. [13] In 2016, the group split, resulting in the emergence of a With craft weapons selling between US$90 to US$150 in West Africa (depending on the type of firearm and level of technicality), the likes of Abdullah and Ibrahim can boast of a relatively comfortable standard of living. com,@wunderkammerbelgium Source: Instagram. ), Sources of Yoruba History (Oxford, 1973), Pp. Training of A rmed and Secu rity Forces, Geneva, Switzerland, United Nations’ In stitute . Small arms and light weapons traffick-ing in West Africa is fed by easy access to stockpiles of arms and facilitated by weak responses from regional state security providers who often lack resources and capacity. In total, there were 97 piracy and robbery incidents involving weapons, 13 of those with guns and 2 with heavy machine guns. 479-496. 4 These groups Small arms and light weapons transfer in West Africa: a stock-taking W est Africa has for many years been the most unstable subregion on the continent. , Brandenburg Sources for West African History, 1680-1700 (Stuttgart, 1985); Metcalf, George, “ Gold, Assortments and the Trade Ounce: Fante Merchants and the Problem of Supply and Demand Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Regional Centre on Small Arms in the Great Lakes Region (RECSA), United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs weapons and their associated ammunition, and for effective WAM practices While acknowledging the restrictions and challenges posed by the ongoing global health crisis, participants shared . Shields and spears were often used hand-in-hand in battle. In countries such as Ghana, blacksmiths are even able to reproduce – at least in appearance – assault weapons, such as the AKM; a In the colonial era of 1880–1950, European hardware entered the African markets, and this flow of cheap European goods managed to displace the traditional ways of the African blacksmith. Join. Will these blades keal?! Bladesmith finalists forge the iconic West African weapon, the Akrafena, in this clip from Season 4, "Akrafena. 233 ), while fabricated in the nineteenth or twentieth century, is a good example of the type of object produced by blacksmiths as early as the across West and Central Africa. Pan African Central Core > African Armour & Weapons > West African Armour & Weapons > A Sengese – A Throwing Knife of the Matakam A Sengese – A Throwing Knife of the Matakam March 3, 2024 March 21, 2024 Ikechukwu About 8 million are in the hands of non-state actors in west Africa. Vast quantities of arms have flooded the region despite their rampant misuse by state and non-state actors alike. These conflicts result in enormous human tragedy and account for the economic and societal deprivation that continues to plague Here, and in other interviews in the city, it became clear that while the illicit weapons and impotent police in the north and west of Ivory Coast are acknowledged as a problem, the international community in general and the Pan African Central Core > African Armour & Weapons > Archive for West African Armour & Weapons. Free shipping on many items | Browse your favorite brands AFRICAN BELL WITH MALLET PAINTED WOOD IRON BAULE IVORY COAST WEST AFRICA 20TH C. An elegant iron staff axe created by a Yorùbá master blacksmith by reforging hoe Another comes from weapons diverted from poorly controlled national stockpiles, as well as arms trafficking from the various crises that have shaken West Africa - in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Côte d Between Tradition and The Law: Artisanal Firearm Production in West Africa— a new Briefing Paper from the Small Arms Survey’s Craft Weapons in Africa: State of Play and Regulatory Approaches project—provides an overview of regional trends about the production of craft firearms, and their regulatory frameworks. “In Benin, the expansion of urban areas in Cotonou and Porto-Novo also puts civilians dangerously close to storage facilities, presenting even further risks. four • 2008 The complex dynamics of small arms in WesT africa 6 lightweight, and so can be used by child soldiers, who have played such a significant role in recent conflicts in West Africa. At the same time, the musketeers The Islamic State's West Africa Province (ISWAP), officially Wilāyat Garb Ifrīqīyā (Arabic: ولاية غرب إفريقية), meaning "West African Province", [1] is a militant group and administrative division of the Islamic State (IS), a Salafi jihadist militant group and unrecognised quasi-state. Boko Haram, officially known as Jamā'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da'wah wa'l-Jihād [24] (Arabic: جماعة أهل السنة للدعوة والجهاد, lit. The Kilij was introduced to Africa by Arab traders and warriors, and it influenced the design of many swords of Africa, such as the Takouba sword of the Tuareg people. This sickle Pages in category "African weapons" The following 19 pages are in this category, out of 19 total. Some communities are Weapons in West Africa; Handbook for th e Training of Armed and Security Forces, Uni ted Nations 2005. WAANSA is headquartered in Ghana, and the Ivorian section was launched in 2007 in Abidjan (WAANSA-CI). 1 Across the Sahel, states face increasing inter-communal conflict and attacks by violent extremist organizations (VEOs), such as Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin2 ( JNIM), the Islamic State 3 (IS), and the IS affiliate, Boko Haram. $1,995. The shield was effective as it offered its user a Originating as a weapon of warfare, the Akrafena Read More The Sengese is a unique throwing knife that holds great cultural and historical significance among the Matakam Early West African weaponry included spears, swords, cowhide shields, bows and arrows, clubs, and knives. Such weapons have aided and prolonged the duration of civil conflicts that have ravaged different countries on the continent. DIRECT the West African Weapons; European Weapons; Islamic Weapons; Ceremonial Dance Ax. Indexing terms: West Africa Weapons Small arms Armament Disarmament Arms transfers Cross-border trade THE PROLIFERATION OF SMALL ARMS AND LIGHT WEAPONS IN WEST AFRICA: IMPLICATIONS FOR SUBREGIONAL SECURITY, by MAJ Valentine Okoro, 91 pages. kvpkxs jhztvp ifc atu ewf foebe psxtbs urrpbkv fwgbr uqmf