WEAPONS AND AMMUNITION MANAGEMENT - COUNTRY INSIGHT SERIES

Republicof Benin
Republic of Benin

PORTO-NOVO

POPULATION: 12.4 Millions
REGION:West Africa

CAPITAL:

Porto-Novo

ANNUAL GDP: 17.5 Billions USD

INTRODUCTIONIn April 2022, the Government of the
Republic of Benin, through the Commission
Nationale de Lutte contre la Prolifération desArmes Légères (CNLCPAL), in cooperation
with the Economic Community of West
African States (ECOWAS) and the United
Nations Institute for Disarmament Research(UNIDIR), conducted a national (WAM)
reference baseline assessment in Benin. The
objective was to assess as comprehensively
andsystematicallyaspossibletheinstitutional and operational capacities,
policies, processes, and procedures of WAM,
in line with the obligations and commitments
of international and regional instruments, aswell as relevant standards and guidelines, inorder to identify approaches and options forstrengthening the national framework
governing WAM in Benin.
This country insight presents the key
findings of the WAM baseline assessment
in Benin, covering the period until April
2022. This publication draws from the report
prepared and transmitted by UNIDIR, in
cooperation
with
ECOWAS,
totheGovernment of Benin.1 This country insightdoes not take into account changes anddevelopments since April 2022 regarding

ASSESSMENT
DATE:

April 2022

WAM in Benin. Nevertheless, most of themain findings and the options identified forfurther strengthening the national framework
governing WAM in Benin remain valid. The
country insight is structured as follows: after
an introduction to the national context andthe situation of WAM in the Republic of
Benin, the main findings and observations
are presented by key functional areas (seealso Box 2). This is followed by the options
identified and validated during theconsultative process (see also Boxes 3 and 4)
for each key functional area. The final section
provides perspectives on how the results ofthe baseline assessment could be used andthe options identified implemented tostrengthen the national WAM framework in
Benin.
This country insight is part of a series onStates that have undertaken a WAM baseline
assessment at national level using UNIDIR’s
Reference Methodology. It is complemented
by an annual update on the progress madeby these States in strengthening WAM
frameworks, policies and practices atdifferent levels.2

Republic of BeninBox 1. What is WAM?
WAM is the exercise of governance and oversight, in application of the principle ofaccountability, exercised over weapons and ammunition throughout their life cycle,
including the establishment of relevant national frameworks, processes and practices foracquisition, storage, transfers, tracing and end-use control,3 as well as the safe, secure andresponsible final disposal of material.4 WAM covers conventional weapons, including smallarms and light weapons and ammunition.

Box 2. WAM key functional areas covered by the national baseline
assessment
UNIDIR's reference methodology for national WAM baseline assessments5 used for thisassessment at the national level includes an assessment approach by key functional WAM
areas. This approach and methodology aims to assess the entire life-cycle management of
weapons and ammunition, to the extent possible, thereby promoting a holistic approachto understanding the institutions, capacities, practices, procedures, and actors including
stakeholders involved in WAM.
The key functional areas are:•National coordination mechanism;•

Legal and regulatory framework;•

Transfer controls;•

Stockpile management of weapons and ammunition;•

Marking of weapons;•

Recordkeeping;•

Weapons tracing and ammunition profiling;•

Processing of illicit weapons and ammunition;•

Collection (and civilian possession);•

Disposal, including destruction of weapons and ammunition. .

The integration of gender-responsive policies and practices in WAM is considered as acrosscutting issue, and strengthens the national security sector, oversight, accountability
and governance of weapons and ammunition. A gender-sensitive approach to arms
control and disarmament, as well as women's participation in WAM, is integral to theplanning, design, implementation and monitoring process and to a national baseline
assessment of WAM and WAM initiatives and activities.6

Box 3. Options and a national 'roadmap' towards a national framework
governing WAM
One of the key results of a national WAM baseline assessment - which forms the basis fora follow-up assessment and activities to strengthen WAM - is the development of anational 'roadmap' on WAM. Such a roadmap sets out the current status of capacities andprocesses for WAM, WAM enhancement opportunities, as well as options for implementation by key functional areas, organised by prioritisation over a time-frame and actorspecific attribution of roles and responsibilities. Options may include international WAM
support and assistance.7
2

Republic of Benin

Summary of options for strengthening the national WAM
framework in Benin
Short-term

Medium-terM

Long-term

0 - 6 months

6 months - 2 YEARS

2 YEARs - MORE

National Coordination Mechanism
492

Legal and Regulatory Framework at National Level
10

Transfer Controls22

Stockpile Management of Weapons and Ammunition
5

10

1

Marking of Weapons
3

1

1

Recordkeeping22

1

Weapons Tracing and Ammunition Profiling
1

5

Processing of Illicit Weapons and Ammunition3

1

Collection (and Civilian Possession)
2

3

Disposal, including Destruction of Weapons and Ammunition
6

Palais des Congrès, Cotonou, Benin - © "Congress palace in Cotonou, Benin" by Sophie Graubert licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED

3

Republic of Benin

Key Stakeholders
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

National Assembly of Benin (ANB)
National Commission to Combat the Proliferation of Light Weapons in Benin(CNLCPAL)
Benin Customs Department (DGD)
General Directorate of Water, Forests and Hunting of Benin (DGEFC)
Armed Forces Material Division (DMA)
General Staff of the Armed Forces (EMG)
Security and Defence Forces (SDF)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Benin (MAE)
Ministry for the Environment and Transport, in charge of Sustainable Development,
Benin (MCVDD)
Ministry of Decentralisation and Local Governance of Benin (MDGL)
Ministry of National Defence (MDN)
Ministry of the Economy and Finance of Benin (MEF)
Ministry of the Interior and Public Security of Benin (MISP)
Ministry of Justice and Legislation of Benin (MJL)
General Directorate of the Republican Police of Benin (DGPR)
Presidency of the Republic of Benin (PRB)
Benin civil society
Benin's international partners

National context
Benin is a country in West Africa, bordering
Togo, Burkina Faso, Niger and Nigeria, which
has generally experienced relative stability
since its independence in 1960, although
periods of political instability and coupsd'état marked the country's history in the
1960s/1970s.8 Today, Benin faces armed
attacks by non-state armed groups andgroups designated as terrorist groups. The
resurgence of designated terrorist groups isleading to a considerable increase in theflow of weapons, ammunition and theircomponents, as well as armed combatants,
to several countries in the sub-region,
including Benin's neighbouring countries.9
The regional security crisis has had a direct
impact on Benin, particularly in the northernpart of the country, which borders countries
facing an increased terrorist threat. In theregion, threats posed by the acquisition anduseofweapons,
ammunition
andcomponents, including improvised explosive
device (IED) components, by designatedterrorist groups, as well as links with criminal
activities, have generally increased since2019. Since then, there has been an increasein number of attacks, including injuries andcasualties, against national security anddefence forces (SDF) and civilian populations
and communities including men, women,
and children. This insidious threat currently
endangering Benin, as well as several othercoastal countries in the sub-region, has clear
links with the diversion and illicit
proliferation and circulation of weapons andammunition, withflows of other illicit
goods, and with organised and transnational
crime.
Threats linked to weapons acquired and heldby designated terrorist groups within Benin's
territory seem mainly to emerge from theborder areas with Burkina Faso, Niger,
Nigeria and Togo. This situation highlights
the need for Benin and the other countries in
the region to strengthen their efforts toprevent violent extremism and combat
terrorism, as well as to strengthen theirregional and international cooperation on
stabilisation, security, peace and sustainable
development.

4Republic of Benin

National context as it relates to WAM
Weapons and ammunition management in
Benin is complex and raises a number ofdifferent issues. First, it concerns Stateowned weapons and ammunition, andmeasures put in place to manage their lifecycle from acquisition and import to their
final disposal, including destruction. This
includespreventing
diversion,
illicittrafficking, unplanned explosions and theirimpacts, particularly on the civilian
population, including men, women andchildren, as well as their acquisition and use
by unauthorized actors.
Strengthening
thefulllife-cycle
management of weapons and ammunition isespecially important for Benin consideringthat the port of Cotonou serves as animportant trade hub for the region, including
for international transfers of weapons andammunition. In addition, Benin is a troopcontributing country to peace operations,10and has recently acquired new militaryequipment for the SDF. The SDF are also
responsible for providing security, including
the security of the borders and in theprovinces, against armed groups anddesignated terrorist groups.11 All of thismakes strengthening WAM even more
important.
Another important aspect of WAM in Benin,
as in other countries in the region, is civilian
ownership and craft production of weapons- including by both civilian entities/
organisations/groups and individuals,12 in
Benin but also in other countries in the subregion. For example, a 2018 study estimatedthat there were around 34,700 state-owned
weapons in Benin, with a similar number(33,000) of firearms in civilian possession. 13
While precise information in this regard is

scarce, given the security situation in the
country and in the region, the regulation andmanagement of these weapons in civilian
possession is increasingly important for theauthorities and stakeholders in Benin.
Against a backdrop of regional instability
and insecurity accross West Africa, illicit
trafficking,particularly
cross-border
trafficking in weapons and ammunition byvarious means (sea, land, air) and theassociated risks are another important issue
for WAM in Benin. The illicit trafficking,proliferation and circulation of weapons andammunition in the region are facilitated by,for example, porous and permeable landborders, thus facilitating “ant-trafficking”
that can grow and have a significantly
negative impact on the long-term security
situation.
All these issues and problems have a varying
impact on stability, peace and sustainable
development in Benin. It is therefore
essential to address these issues and put inplace an appropriate framework and system
to prevent conflict and promote the security
and well-being of the population, including
men, women and children.
At the international level, Benin has longdemonstrated its commitment to arms
control standards, as a signatory to all
relevant regional and international relevant
instruments.14 The assessment carried out in
April 2022 is a demonstration of thewillingness of national authorities andstakeholders to further strengthen thenational framework governing the life-cycle
management of weapons and ammunition inorder to meet the challenges that Beninfaces in terms of stability, security, peace andsustainable development.

Beninese soldiers on patrol in Pendjari National Park - © Benin Armed Forces

5Republic of BeninKey functional area 1:
National Coordination Mechanism
A national WAM coordination mechanism
ensures the cooperation and coordination ofdifferent actors to effectively manage the life
cycle of weapons and ammunition andimplement associated control measures. To
this end, it is generally recommended that agovernment entity in charge of devising andproviding general policy guidelines andensuring the coordination of national action
on WAM be designated or established.15
In Benin, WAM is currently mainly coordinatedby two key national entities. The Directorate
for Armed Forces Equipment (Direction duMatériel des Armées - DMA), under the
responsibility of the Ministry Delegate to the
Presidency of the Republic in charge for
National Defense (MDN), is responsible for
WAM within the Beninese Armed Forces(Forces armées béninoises - FAB) andcoordinates several WAM-related activities
with other components of the Beninese SDF.
The National Commission to Combat theProliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons
in Benin (Commission Nationale de Lutte
Contre la Prolifération des Armes Légères CNLCPAL), under the responsibility of the
Presidency of the Republic, acts as the main
focal point for WAM and is the national entity
officially designated by Benin as focal point for
the implementation of the ECOWAS
Convention. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs(Ministère des Affaires Étrangères, MAE)
responsible for ensuring the liaison with
regional and international mechanisms,
particularly in relation to WAM, incollaboration with the CNLCPAL. The Ministryof Public Security (Ministère de la Sécurité
Publique - MISP) is responsible for the
regulation and measures governing civilian
access to weapons and ammunition by
civilians. The CNLCPAL has established a fiveyear action plan for the control andmanagement of small arms and light weapons(SALW). It is worth noting, however, that thisplan has faced a number of challenges. These
challenges mainly relate to the placement of
the CNLCPAL within the government's
institutional structure, and to the capacity ofnational and international stakeholders toadhere to and implement the plan.
During the national baseline assessment inApril 2022, the national authorities andnational experts noted the importance ofclarifying the roles, responsibilities andmissions of the various authorities with regard
to WAM, in particular by revising andstrengthening the legal and regulatory
framework at the national level (see below).
These efforts can be supported, by thenational authority having the lead for WAM,
with the development, adoption andimplementation of a national approach andstrategy dedicated to WAM. Strengthening thenational coordination mechanism (through, forexample, an interministerial committee) should
go hand in hand with the development of a
specificmechanismforexchanging
information between national authorities andnational stakeholders. Such a mechanism
could also consider and include regional andinternational partners, in order to strengthen
regional and international cooperation,
including the coordination of assistance andsupport received in relation to WAM. With
regard to the CNLCPAL, the options identified
by the national authorities and the national
experts who took part in the baseline
assessment were to revise and broaden its
mandate, to establish stronger links between
the CNLCPAL and the other national bodies
within the national institutional architecture
having a role in WAM, and to allocate itadequate resources to carry out its tasks.
Generally, with a view to ensuring the fullparticipation of all stakeholders at the national
level, one of the other options identified
during the baseline assessment in 2022 wasfor the CNLCPAL to exchange with, raiseawareness among and strengthen theknowledge and capacities of various civilsociety organisations, including civil thoseworking on gender issues, and media
organisations, in order to strengthen WAM in
Benin. In the long term, there was interest in
decentralising the national coordination
mechanism.

Aerial view of the Presidency of the Republic of Benin in Cotonou - © Presidency of the Republic of Benin

6

Long-term

Medium-terM

Short-term

Options for strengthening the coordination mechanism at the national level
Identify the institutions responsible for coordinating the various aspects of
WAM in order to define the responsibilities and missions (internationaltransfers, marking, tracing, etc.) of each institution with a role in thiscoordination (CNLCPAL, Military Staff, DMA, etc.)

CNLCPAL

Give the CNLCPAL a broader mandate and adequate human, financial andmaterial resources (avoid turnover of members)

PRB
MDN / FABANBMAECNLCPAL

Accelerate the work of the sub-committee responsible for reviewing the
mandate of the national commission which places all so-called “conventional”
weapons under their remit

PRB
MDN / FABANBMAECNLCPAL

Identify the roles and responsibilities with regard to national obligations
established in international and regional instruments for all of these texts (ATT
report, ECOWAS exemption request, etc.)

CNLCPAL
MDN / FAB
MAE

Update the CNCLCPAL 2020-2024 Action Plan and define a corresponding
resource mobilization strategy

CNLCPAL
MDN / FAB
MAE
MEF
ANB
Civil Society

Promote support for the CNLCPAL from technical partners and donors

CNLCPALECOWASInternational Partners

Set up a framework for regular consultations with civil society to review theactivities planned by civil society organisations and ensure the full participationof the CNLCPAL in its activities

CNLCPAL
Civil Society
Press network

Provide and ensure training for journalists/civil society organisations on WAM
issuesCNLCPAL
Civil Society
Press network
MDN / FAB

Train judges on the ECOWAS Convention and the law governing weapons andammunition in Benin

CNLCPAL
MJL
MDN / FAB

Set up a mechanism for exchanging information between the national
institutions involved in all the key functional areas of WAM (e.g. Interministerial
WAM Committee)

MDN / FABMISP
MJL
CNLCAPL
Civil Society
Press network

Proceed with a gradual decentralisation of the CNLCPALCNLCPAL
MDGL

Landscape of Pendjari National Park, Benin - © "Parc National de la Pendjari, vu du ciel" by Marie-Michaire Lima licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED

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Republic of BeninKey functional area 2:
Legal and Regulatory Framework at the National Level
At the national level, the legal and regulatory
framework is essential for the establishmentof effective control mechanisms aimed atpreventing the illicit proliferation of weapons
and ammunition, and ensuring the effective
management of weapons and ammunition,in accordance with the multilateral andregional obligations and commitments towhich the State is a party.16
In Benin, the legal and regulatory frameworkat the national level is composed of several
national laws and legal texts.17 However, atthe time of the baseline assessment in April
2022, the Beninese authorities and national
experts recognised and highlighted a lack of
uniformity and harmonisation of the legal
and regulatory framework at national level.
This concerns both the roles andresponsibilities of the national authorities(see above), and harmonisation withinternational instruments including theobligations and commitments made by
Benin as a State Party to the Arms Trade
Treaty and the ECOWAS Convention. The
draft law of 2020,18 which aims toincorporate the provisions of the ATT into
the legal and regulatory framework at
national level, was at the time of theassessment in April 2022 awaiting animplementing decree for for it to be enacted.
In addition, the national authorities notedthat there were a number of gaps in thedraft law, particularly with regard to transfer
controls, the maintenance of a single
national register, the regulation and control
of weapons owned by civilians and private
security companies, and the profiling andtracing of weapons and ammunition. In
2022, a more thorough review of the bill wasplanned to bring it fully in line with theprovisions of the ATT and the ECOWAS
Convention.
The national authorities and national experts
identified several options for strengthening
the legal and regulatory framework at thenational level. In general, it was noted thatthe domestication of obligations andcommitments under relevant regional andinternational
instruments
shouldbeaccelerated. The revision and harmonisationof the draft law with the provisions of therelevant
international
andregional
instruments and the adoption of an
implementing decree would make it possible
to fill the current gaps in several key WAM
areas
(such
as
transfers,
stockpile
management, civilian possession, traceability
and profiling, and disposal, including
destruction of weapons and ammunition)
and
would
enablemore
effective
implementation of WAM in Benin. Morespecifically, this would enable the Beninese
authorities to ensure better control ofinternationaltransfersofweapons,
ammunition (including explosives) andrelated materials. Raising awareness among
the various stakeholders, including thecivilian population, of the legal andregulatory framework at national level,
particularly with regard to civilian possessionof firearms, hunting weapons and homemade weapons, will further strengthen this
WAM functional area and promote the ruleof law in Benin.

Options for strengthening the legal and regulatory framework at the national level

Short-term

Review national laws and regulations on weapons, ammunition and explosives
in line with regional and international instruments, standards and guidelines(e.g. by speeding up the drafting and adoption of the 2020 draft law andbringing it into line with the ECOWAS Convention and the ATT)
Elaborate, adopt and regularly update a national control list for strategic andsensitive goods

MDN / FABCNCLPAL
MISP
MJL
ANB
Civil Society

Adopt legislative measures for the creation of a single organ for conventionalarms and ammunition management and control through the revision/adoptionof a law (conventional weapons, and cluster munitions)8Introduce a single set of regulations governing the practices of private security
companies

Short-term

Reinforce the inclusion in legislation of the obligation to request an exemption
from ECOWAS for all weapons imports (for civilian and SDF use)
Regulate the management of weapons and ammunition stockpiles, as well as
stocks and use of explosives by civilians
Put in place standards for marking, in line with regional agreements on thesubject, for all weapons and ammunition present in country

MDN / FABCNCLPAL
MISP
MJL
ANB
Civil Society

Improve regulations on civilian possession of weapons (hunting weapons andhome-made weapons)
Accelerate the domestication of regional and international instruments
Set up standards for maintaining a single national register of weapons andammunition

Key functional area 3:
Transfer Controls
Transfer controls are crucial to prevent
excessive, destabilising and illicit transfers of
weapons, ammunition and related materials atinternational, regional and national levels,
which can pose substantial risks and a serious
threat to peace and security. Transfer controls
are also crucial in preventing human rights
violations and violations of international
humanitarian law.19
In Benin, the legal and regulatory frameworkat national level regulates certain aspects oftransfers (imports, and in part re-exports,
transit, transhipment and brokering) ofweapons, ammunition and related materials.
However, there are gaps and certain aspects
need to be strengthened, in line with the
obligations and commitments made under
the relevant regional and international
instruments (see below).20 In April 2022, theMDN was the competent national authority
for authorising imports of military weapons;
and the Ministère de l’Intérieur et de la Sécurité
Publique (MISP) for authorising imports ofcivilian weapons and ammunition for personal
use and explosives for civilian use. It should
be noted that at the time of the national
baseline assessment in April 2022 and in thecontext of the revision of the legal andregulatory framework at national level(mentioned below), the national authorities ofBenin, through various agencies, were in theprocess of elaborating a national control list
defining the categories of weapons,ammunition, and related material subject tointernational conventional arms transfer
controls.
The process for authorising imports (ofweapons and ammunition) for the Armed
Forces and other defence and security forcessees the Armed Fores Headquarters issue an
opinion on the need for an acquisition, andthe import is to be approved by the Presidentof the Republic. Benin therefore has acentralized system for the acquisition (anddistribution) of weapons and ammunition for
the SDF. The process for the application of an
exemption from the ECOWAS Convention,
includingthetransmissionofthedocumentation required to obtain an
exemption certificate from the ECOWAS
Commission, is managed by the MDN,
through the MEA. Imports are recorded in anational arms and ammunition import register
held by the MDN. According to the national
experts present at the assessment in April
2022, anyone wishing to carry out brokering
activities on the national territory mustregister with the national authorities and holda brokering licence. However, there was no
official list of state-approved brokers.

9Republic of Benin

The national authorities in Benin have noted
several opportunities to strengthen controlsof transfers of arms and ammunition, inparticular by implementing the provisions of
the ATT and the ECOWAS Convention. At astrategic level, these opportunities are closely
linked to the revision and strengthening of
the legal and regulatory framework underway
in Benin (see above, for example concerning
the establishment of a control list fortransfers of weapons, ammunition and relatedmaterials, or national coordination). Increased
and appropriate involvement of the CNLCPAL
in weapons and ammunition transfer
processes, including the ECOWAS exemption
request process and procedure, was noted
and identified as one of the key options forstrengthening this area. The systematic

submission of exemption requests to
ECOWAS for all transfers, including theimport of weapons and ammunition tocivilians, would further strengthen this WAM
key functional area. In this respect, thecentralisation of the national registration
system, its electronic conversion and theestablishment of a central database were also
noted by the national authorities and experts(see below). Lastly, the national authorities
and experts stressed the importance ofstrengthening border controls, including
through cross-border cooperation at thevarious types of borders, and strengthening
operational capacities (technical, human, dog
squad, etc.) in this respect to combat illicit
arms trafficking.21

Medium-terM

Short-term

Options for strengthening transfer controls
Regulate import, export, re-export, brokerage, transit and transhipment
activities by law (define the procedures to be followed, define the documents
required, define the respective roles of each national authority, define criminal
penalties)

ANB
CNCLPALECOWASStrengthen cross-border cooperation to control arms transfers and trafficking

CNLCPAL
MDN / FAB

Strengthen the human (training) and technical (GPS systems, scanners)
capacities of customs and the SDF (at ports, airports and land borders, prison
agency)DGD
DGPRCNLCPAL

Strengthen the dog squad's capacity to detect explosives (port + airport) andmolecular detection equipment

DGD
DGPR
CNLCPAL

Key functional area 4:
Stockpile Management of Weapons and Ammunition
Effective stockpile management of weapons
and ammunition is an essential element of any
security and defence force and its operations.
This management is crucial to ensure theoperational readiness of the SDF, to protect
national strategic assets, to reduce the risks ofdiversion and illicit proliferation, and to
reduce the risks and mitigate the impacts of
unplanned
explosions
resultingfrominadequate management of stocks on the
population, including men, women andchildren.22
In Benin, the management of weapons andammunition stockpiles is governed by thenational legal and regulatory framework, andmore specifically by internal military
regulations. In the absence of such
regulations, the national authorities draw fromregional and international standards andtechnical guidelines in this area. Stockpile
management is supervised by the Ministry of
Defence, the EMG, the DMA and the logistics
divisions of the SDF, which are the only bodies
authorised to manage these stocks. The
national management cycle includes storage,
distribution, consumption, accounting, control,
assessment and risk reduction. According to
the participants and national experts,
ammunition is stored and classified (labelled)
in depots. Stocks are regularly inventoried
10Republic of Beninand procedures exist to identify surplus,
obsolete and/or unstable material for
disposal (see below). In this regard,
significant efforts were underway at the timeof the national assessment (see below
regarding final disposal). Measures todevelop (professional) career plans forarmourers and ammunition technicians are
ongoing to sustainably build the capacity of
personnel. At the time of the assessment inApril 2022, given the evolving security
situation in Benin, major efforts were also
underwaytoreformthephysicalinfrastructure for the storage of weapons
andammunition,
followingarisk
assessment
and
needs
assessment
undertaken between 2016 and 2017 (seebelow). Thanks to international and regional
cooperation, Benin has benefited frominternational assistance in this area, inparticular from the Mines Advisory Group.
One of the main challenges regarding
physical infrastructure is the evolving
security situation in Benin, and WAM by SDF
units at storage sites in remote and highrisk areas.
The national authorities have noted several
opportunities
forstrengthening
this
important and key area of WAM for Benin.
In this regard, it will be necessary tocomplete the risk assessment, theidentification of obsolete, unstable ordegraded materiel (to be disposed of) andthe needs in terms of storage as well as
strengthening of the physical infrastructure
and capacity of all the SDF (including theRepublican Police, - which in April 2022 wasrecently merged with the National
Gendarmerie -, the Customs and Water,
Forestry and Hunting services, as well as the
Prison Administration). In some cases, these
efforts include the relocation of ammunition
depots "currently located in urban areas.
One of the options identified by the national
authorities and national experts also
concerns the ongoing and gradualintegration of the physical infrastructure forthe storage of weapons and ammunition,with the national accountability andmonitoring system including the national
marking and record-keeping system (seebelow). Generally, it is also essential tocontinue building the capacity of personnel(by training officers from the various SDFs,
and in particular by passing on expertisefrom the DMA to the other SDFs in Benin)
for WAM, in accordance with international
standards and technical guidelines. Finally,
the introduction and use of information andcommunication technologies could further
strengthen this important and key area of
WAM in Benin.

Options for strengthening stockpile management
Strengthen the physical security of weapons and ammunition depots

Short-term

Strengthen human resources qualified in the management of ammunition andexplosives
Train ammunition depot managers in stockpile management, international
standards and their implementation
Computerise the registers, files and data collected manually by creating acentralised electronic database (server)
Continue to destroy obsolete weapons and ammunition to reduce the risk ofaccidents

CNLCPAL
SDF
International Partners

Medium-terM

Relocate ammunition depots located in urban areas
Continue to rehabilitate, build and secure weapons and ammunition storage
facilities, in accordance with international standards
Carry out a technical assessment/technical surveillance visit of the needs of the
Republican Police, Customs as well as Water and Forestry Services
11Medium-terM
Long-term

Develop national standards and standardised operational procedures for the
management of weapons and ammunition
Support the clearance of areas to be used as ammunition isolation zones

CNLCPAL
SDF
International Partners

Develop and implement, at the strategic and operational/technical level, follow
up and monitoring to ensure the proper management and security of weapons
and prevent diversion

Key functional area 5:
Marking of WeaponsMarking is a crucial component of theeffective management of weapons andammunition, rendering them uniquely
identifiable, and prevent diversion, while also
contributing to security and stockpile
management.
In Benin, the marking of weapons was
initiated in 2018 by the Ministry of Defence(more specifically the DMA) and implemented
in several phases. Benin has benefited frominternational and regional cooperation andassistance in this area. Benin has adopted its
own national marking system for weapons,
which is in line with the relevant international
standards and draws on regional standards
and guidelines. According to the national
authorities and experts, at the time of thenational baseline assessment in April 2022
there were two weapons marking practices in
use: the marking of State weapons already inState stockpiles (or newly imported); or themarking of weapons held in a second country
prior to export to Benin.23 The existence andcontinuation of the second practice remained
unclear in April 2022. At the time of thenational baseline assessment, more than
23,000 weapons had already been marked by
the DMA. However, there are challenges
regarding the marking of all weapons alreadyheld in stockpiles, including the number of
personnel (both men and women) trained
and the time required. It is worth noting thatin April 2022, there was not yet a formal(standardised)procedure
formarking
weapons, nor a specific programme formarking
civilian
weapons.
The national authorities and national experts
noted several opportunities for strengthening
Benin's
institutional
andoperational
capacities, procedures and practices formarking weapons, while recognising thesignificant progress that has been made inthis area. First, it remains important for the
DMA and other national authorities tocontinue marking the weapons of certain
components and units of the SDF, particularly
those located in the north of the country. The
necessarystrengtheningof
human(personnel, both men and women) andtechnical (machines and their management)
capacities could go hand in hand with thedevelopment, adoption and streamlining of aformal (standardized) marking procedure. The
national authorities and experts also noted
the establishment of an electronic database(which would allow the automatic andsimultaneous registration of the serial
numbers of marked weapons in the national
registration system). The marking of weapons
imported and manufactured locally by
civilians, by the MISP, would further
strengthen this WAM key functional area.
Finally, national authorities could also
consider marking weapons that are destinedfor destruction (see below) to reduce the riskof diversion.

Shooting training for Beninese soldiers - © Benin Armed Forces

12

Strengthening the technical capacity for marking (additional marking machines /renovation and maintenance of existing machines, etc.)

MDN / FABMISP
CNLCPALECOWASInternational Partners

Disseminate and raise awareness of the standard operating procedures formarking weapons among the various units and security forces

MDN / FABMISP
CNLCPALECOWASInternational Partners

Medium-terM

Regulation, and marking of, hunting weapons and home-made weapons

CNLCPAL
MDN / FABDGPR / DGEFC / DGD
International Partners
ECOWAS

Secondary marking of weapons identified for destruction

MDN / FAB

Short-term

Continue the marking of weapons held by the SDF

CNLCPAL
MDN / FAB
PR / DGEFC / DGD
International Partners
ECOWAS

Longterm

Options for strengthening the marking of weapons

Key functional area 6:
Recordkeeping
Comprehensive and effective record-keeping
is a crucial element for national authorities,
enabling a comprehensive inventory of
weapons and ammunition on the territory of
the State. Such record-keeping includes
information on transfers, national stocks,
weapons and ammunition in civilian
possession, as well as weapons recovered
through illegal activities. International andregional
standards/bestpractices
recommend that data management be
centralised and managed by a competentState authority.24
In Benin, the national system for registering
weapons and ammunition held by the Stateis centralised within the DMA, EMG of the
MDN. Currently, the system is mainly basedon internal DMA guidelines, and uses
various accounting documents to record
movements/transactions of weapons andammunition along the supply chain from thecentre to the units (and between units). It is
worth noting that in April 2022, the system
was paper-based and being implemented

manually, while a process of digitalizationfrom a manual to an electronic national
registration system was underway. Thanks toregional cooperation, Benin has received
assistance and support from ECOWAS in thisregard. By April 2022, electronic conversion
was under way in all four components of the
FAB. However, the process of digitalization
had yet to be fully and effectively
operationalised. In April 2022, only some of
the SDF (and their staff, both men andwomen) had received training in recordkeeping and data management. As part of
the national registration and record-keeping
system, specific registers are also kept by the
Republican Police for lost or stolen weapons,
as well as those recovered from the illicit
sphere (see also below); although theexistence and use of such registers did notappear to be a practice followed by all the
SDF. Another challenge raised during theassessment in April 2022 was the lack of
information on weapons and ammunition
held by civilians, and their regularisation,
includingregistrationforimports.
13

Republic of Benin

During the national baseline assessment inApril 2022, the national authorities andnational
experts
identified
severalopportunities for improvement in thenational
weaponsandammunition
registration system. In general, the precise
definition of roles and responsibilities in thisarea was noted by the national authorities
and national experts (see also above). With
regard to weapons and ammunition held byState entities, working towards theestablishment of a a central database
contributed to the proper and effective
centralization of the registration system in
Benin. Such a database would also enable
the registration of transfers of weapons andammunition
accompanying
Beninesecontingents in peace operations. The
development of a formal (i.e. standardised)procedure for recording and storing data
would make it possible to streamline goodpractice at national level, and could also be
used in personnel capacity building activities.
In addition, the national authorities andnational experts noted the importance ofsetting up a control and verification system
to ensure the accuracy and completeness of
the information recorded. At the same time,the importance of putting in place security
measures to prevent unauthorised access tothe data was also emphasised. With regard
to weapons held by civilians, the importanceof having more detailed information wasnoted and emphasised, as well as thecreation, in the long term, of a centralised
database that gives authorities a betteroverview of civilian-held weapons andammunition (see also below).

Longterm

Medium-terM

Short-term

Options for strengthening recordkeeping
Strengthen standard operating procedures for weapons and ammunition recordkeeping in the security forces (Republican Police, Water, Forestry and Hunting,Customs)
Identify specific responsibilities in terms of keeping and maintaining registers

Set up an integrated electronic programme for all national weapons andammunition registers / Creation of an electronic database and a weapons
register in line with the provisions of the ECOWAS Convention

Set up a harmonised register for national armed and security forces participatingin peace operations in line with international standards

MDN
MISP
CNLCPALECOWASInternational Partners

MDN / FABMISP
CNLCPALECOWASInternational Partners

Set up an electronic system for registering weapons held by civilians

Key functional area 7:
Weapons Tracing and Ammunition Profiling
Tracing weapons and ammunition is a crucial
issue in the fight against illicit trafficking,because the vast majority of illegal weapons
and ammunition originally ammunition
originates from legal sources. An effective
traceability system makes it possible to trace
weapons and ammunition from their
manufacture or import to their last legal
owner, in order to prevent them from being
diverted to the illicit market and to combat
weapons and ammunition trafficking.25

In Benin, in April 2022, the legal and regulatory
framework at national level did not define indetail the roles and responsibilities of thevarious national authorities with regard to the
tracing and profiling of weapons andammunition. The DMA is the focal point for
tracing, although it remains unclear whether afocal point has been designated andcommunicated under the relevant international
instruments. Benin has already put in placesome essential components of a national
14

Republic of Benin

tracing and profiling system, such as theinitiation of a national database on Stateweapons and ammunition and a mechanism
for tracing weapons recovered from the illicit
sphere. However, in April 2022, the use of thismechanism and the number of domestic andinternational tracing operations carried out
per year remained unclear. In April 2022, theprocess of tracing weapons and ammunition
recovered from the illicit sphere was carriedout manually (by consulting paper registers),
with an electronic database in the process of
being developed (see above). However, in
April 2022 it seemed that the experienced
personnel (both men and women) of the
DMA and the Republican Police were alreadycapable of carrying out certain tracing
operations.
At the national assessment in April 2022, theparticipants and national experts identified
several options for strengthening this WAM
functional area in Benin. The traceability andprofiling of weapons and ammunition could
be taken into account in the current revisionof the national legal and regulatory
framework (see above). At the strategic level,a specific coordination mechanism, including

information sharing between the various
national authorities, could be strengthened.
National authorities and national experts
noted the creation of a centralised databaseat national level and the integration of thenational tracing system at regional level withother ECOWAS Member States as a possible
national priority. It was also recommended
that tracing practices should be harmonised
at national level by developing and adopting
a standard operating procedure. In addition,
one of the other options identified concerned
the creation of units for the identification,
profiling and tracing of illicit weapons andammunition, through and in parallel with thestrengthening of human resources (both men
and women) and technical (equipment,
software) capacities. These improvements
would not only enhance the effectiveness of
the identification, profiling and tracing
processes, but would also enable the security
forces to track illicit weapons andammunition, gain a better understanding of
the networks involved in the illicit weapons
and ammunition trafficking, and thus better
protect the population against acts ofviolence committed with these weapons.

Shortterm

Options for strengthening weapons tracing and profiling of ammunition
Develop standard operating procedures at unit level for identifying, profiling andtracing illicit weapons and ammunition
Establish procedures for monitoring recovered equipment at national level andcoordination mechanisms within the State and with other States in the subregion to share information on cases of diversion

Medium-terM

Develop regulations for the creation of weapons and ammunition identificationand tracing units
Strengthen information sharing between national institutions on traced weapons
and profiled ammunition, with the establishment of a national tracing database
Strengthen cooperation between
institutions in the field of tracing

national

authorities

and

MDN / FABMISP
CNLCPALECOWASInternational Partners(+ INTERPOL)

international

Strengthen technical (equipment/software) and human (training) tracing
capacities

Beninese soldiers in the bush - © Benin Armed Forces

15

Republic of BeninKey functional area 8:
Processing of Illicit Weapons and Ammunition
Dealing with illicit weapons and ammunition
is an essential component of any national
weapons and ammunition management
framework, from criminalising illicit activities
to ensuring accountability for items
recovered from the illicit sphere. This
provides information and evidence on thebasis of which illicit traffickers andperpetrators of violence can be convicted,
helping to combat impunity.26
In Benin, the processing of weapons andammunition recovered from the illicit sphere(i.e. seized, captured, surrendered, collectedor found) is not harmonised across allnational authorities, including the SDF.
However, an informal procedure exists
whereby several steps are followed by thenational authorities and the different entities
and units involved. In general, the DMA is
responsibleforprocessing
weapons
recovered from the illicit sphere by the
defence forces, and also receives weapons
processed by the security forces, once therelated legal proceedings have been
completed. Since 2018, approximately 642
illicit and illegal as well as numerous items ofsmall-calibre ammunition have been seizedby various authorities and handed over tothe DMA once the prescribed investigative
procedures and formalities had been
completed. When weapons and ammunition
are handed over to the judicial authorities,
experts can be called upon to provide anexpert opinion and the Republican Police
forensic team may extract any fingerprints.
These findings are generally used as
evidence when individuals are caught in theact or in direct possession. However, there isno information on the total number of "legal"
weapons (with certain weapons andammunition that are the subject of current or
past legal proceedings not recorded). Whilejustice sector actors are involved in theprocessing of illicit and illegal weapons (fortheir judicial processing), one of thechallenges that has been raised by national
authorities and experts is the lack of physicalcapacity of justice institutions to store thismaterial.
In Benin, there are several possibilities for
improving the handling of weapons andammunition recovered from the illicit sphere.
While the legal framework regulates thehandling of these weapons and ammunition,
the roles and responsibilities of the various
national authorities could and should beclarified to make the processing of thismaterial more systematic. It was also
recommended that the existing practice ofthe national authorities and entities involved
should be harmonised through thedevelopment and adoption of a standard
operatingprocedure.
In
addition,strengthening the capacity of the judiciary,
particularly in terms of infrastructure for thesafe and secure storage of material that is
the subject of judicial proceedings, as well as
strengthening human resources (staff, both
men and women) in general. Finally, thenational authorities and national experts in
April 2022 noted the importance of setting
up a monitoring system, including an
accounting/record-keeping
systemforweapons and ammunition from their initial
registration, through the judicial process (aswell as a central register of judicial weapons)
to their final disposal, including destruction,in line with international standards, in orderto prevent their diversion.

Medium-terM

Courtterme

Options for better processing of illicit weapons and ammunition
Establish clear standard operating procedures for the processing of illicit
weapons and ammunition
Continue to identify illicit weapons and ammunition and proceed with theirdestruction
Improve the infrastructure capacity of the judicial authorities to safely andsecurely store (sealed weapons)

MDN / FABMISP
CNLCPALECOWASInternational Partners

16Medium-terM

Establish a specific register for weapons and ammunition investigated in legal
proceedings

MDN / FABMISP
CNLCPALECOWASInternational Partners

Key functional area 9:
Collection of Weapons and Civilian Possession
Collecting and regulating civilian possessionof weapons and ammunition are key elements
in reducing armed violence in communities,
by removing illegal and unwanted weapons
from civilian hands, and thus potential
preventing underlying security problems.27
As mentioned above, the legal and regulatory
framework at the national level regulates
several aspects of civilian access to weapons
and ammunition. In particular, it defines theprocesses for acquiring and trading theseweapons through imports, for which the MISP
is the main body responsible for ensuringcontrol (see above). The manufacture andpossession of weapons by civilians is
prohibited as a matter of principle, andrequires an exemption from the ban on
holding,using,
lending,transferring,exchanging and trading these weapons. The
CNLCPAL, the DMA and the Republican Police
are responsible for designing and supervising
the collection of firearms and small-calibre
ammunition from civilians. The last voluntarycollection campaign was organised by the
CNLCPAL in 2019, following post-election
violence in certain regions. The results weremodest and limited, with a relatively small
number of weapons collected. One of themain challenges is the lack of an accurate
estimate of the number of weapons
manufactured and held by civilians. It should
be noted that the CNLCPAL national action
plan foresees further voluntary collection

campaigns in the future. Some related
initiatives also include efforts to raiseawareness and increase the involvement ofcivil society actors, training (of defence forces,
including men and women) on SALW issues
and specifically civilian possession, andgenerally improving cooperation between the
different actors involved in the fight against
SALW proliferation.
The participants and national experts
identified several options for strengthening
this WAM functional area in Benin. Amongthese options, a survey (or a study providing
precise estimates) of all weapons and smallcalibre ammunition held by civilians, and thegradual regularisation of these weapons(through marking and registration) by the
MISP and the CNLCPAL, were identified as key
recommendations. At the same time, thenational authorities (including the security andjustice authorities) would need to makecontinuous efforts to raise awareness among
citizens, both men and women, of the risks ofowning and using weapons. The national
authorities and national experts also noted
the importance of continuing campaigns forthe voluntary surrender and collection of
weapons and ammunition from civilians, andof better coordination of efforts in this area by
the national authorities and greater
involvement of civil society.

Medium-terM

Options for strengthening collection and the management of civilian-possessed weapons

Develop a programme for tracking the use of assets placed on the national list of
strategic and sensitive goods

MSN / FABMISP
CNLCPALECOWASInternational Partners

Continue to implement a programme for the voluntary surrender of civilian
weapons and the collection of weapons and ammunition

CNLCPAL
Civil Society
Press
17

Long-term

Identify, mark and register all weapons and ammunition held by civilians

MSN / FABMISP
CNLCPALECOWASInternational Partners

Raise public awareness of the risks of civilian possession and use of weapons

CNLCPAL
Civil Society
Press

Involve civil society stakeholders to a greater extent in the regularisation of
weapons and ammunition held by citizens (civilians + off-duty military personnel)

CNLCPAL
Local councils
Prefectures
DGPR
Civil Society

Key functional area 10:
Disposal, including Destruction of Weapons and Ammunition
The disposal of weapons and ammunition,
including their destruction, is an essential
component of any national WAM framework.
This reduces security risks and prevents theillicit circulation of weapons and ammunition,
while ensuring effective management of
surplus or undesired stockpiles.28
In Benin, the Ministry of Defence (through theDMA) seems to be the main entity responsiblefor deciding on the method of final disposal of
weapons and ammunition, although thedecision-making process remained unclear at
the time of the assessment in April 2022. The
CNLCPAL is responsible for strategicallyoverseeing the destruction of weapons andammunition, while the DMA is responsible for
operationalising the destruction of army
weapons and ammunition that are declared
unusable, obsolete or unstable. Thanks tointernational cooperation, the DMA has
received assistance from the Mines Advisory
Group for a technical assessment andimplementation of a broad programme for thedestruction of surplus, obsolete or nonfunctional weapons and obsolete and/or
unstable ammunition since 2019. In April
2022, the programme was still underway, withalmost 12,000 weapons and 400 tonnes of
ammunition to be destroyed. A standard
operating procedure for the destruction of
weapons exists, while an operating procedure
for the destruction of ammunition was underdevelopment in April 2022. Generally,
weapons are destroyed by cutting them up
and melting them down so that the steel canbe reused in the construction sector, whilesmall-calibre ammunition is burnt in dedicatedopen-air furnaces.
The national authorities and national experts
have identified several options for further
strengthening this key WAM functional area in
Benin. Among these options, capacity buildingfor (trained) personnel (both men andwomen), as well as the sustainability ofoperational procedures were identified as key
recommendations. It was also noted that theimplementation of new methods with low
ecological impact and environmental nuisancewould benefit from being taken into accountduring these destructions. Raising theawareness among the civilian population
living near temporary destruction sites andexposed to the risks, as well as considerations
regarding the safety of local communities andthe impact on their economic activities, werealso noted by the national experts. Anotheroption identified by the national authorities
and national experts was to bring permanent
destruction sites up to international standards.
Marking of weapons for destruction was also
noted as a preventive measure against therisks of diversion of these weapons prior totheir destruction, as well as tracking
transactions(i.e.
documenting/recordingtransactions) and recording all information on
weapons and ammunition to be destroyed in
the national registration system (a specificregister), including for a comprehensive andeffective assessment of efforts to destroy
surplus, obsolete and/or unstable material.

18Options for strengthening disposal including destruction of weapons and ammunition
Include methods with a low ecological impact and limiting environmental
damage (noise, dispersion of metal shrapnel, air and soil pollution, etc.) in thepractice of destroying munitions

Medium-terM

Build technical capacity to destroy small arms and light weapons, as well as
heavy weapons, through ad-hoc training courses
Secure sensitive sites (shooting ranges and permanent destruction sites) by
fencing and signaling
Regularly decontaminate permanent destruction sites and bring them up tointernational standards

MDN / FABMISP
CNLCPALECOWASInternational Partners
MCVDD

Regularly clean up firing ranges used for heavy weapons and air force training(artillery, aviation bombs, air-to-ground rockets)

Raise awareness of the risks for civilians living near sensitive military zones

MDN / FABInternational Partners
Civil Society
Press

OutlookThis publication is based on a holistic
approachtothemanagementofconventional weapons, including SALW,
ammunition and components. It highlights
the current status of WAM in Benin, progress
made, as well as existing institutional andoperational capacities, processes, practices
and procedures. Further, it notes challenges
currently faced by Benin's national authorities
at the strategic and operational levels. It also
provided options for strengthening thenational framework for the life-cycle
management of weapons and ammunition in
Benin,
including
proposingperiodic
assessments of progress over time.
The Government of Benin has demonstrated
a willingness to use and take into accountthese options, including in order toconsolidate,withstakeholders
andinternational partners, a "roadmap" (orstrategic approach) for strengthening thenational framework for the life-cycle

management of weapons, including SALW,
and ammunition in Benin. This is in line with
the Regional Action Plan on Small Arms andLight Weapons, Ammunition and otherrelated materials, the implementation of the
ECOWAS Convention, as well as security andcooperation. The Government of Benin has
also used the results of this assessment tostrengtheninternational
andregional
cooperation and assistance.
UNIDIR encourages the community of States,
regional and sub-regional organisations andrelevant international partners to consult thisBenin WAM Country Insight, its series ofCountry Insights, and the series of annual
updates, as a basis for strengthening WAM
policies and practices at various levels, as well
as for planning, implementing and evaluating
future programmes and projects in WAM andrelated areas in Benin.

Close-up of a Beninese soldier's weapon - © Benin Armed Forces

19

Weapons and Ammunition Management - Country
Insight Series

Republicof Benin

About UNIDIRThe United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) - an autonomous institutewithin the United Nations - conducts research on disarmament and security. UNIDIR is based in
Geneva, Switzerland, the centre for bilateral and multilateral negotiations on disarmament andnon-proliferation, and the seat of the Conference on Disarmament. The Institute explores
current issues relating to a variety of existing and future armaments, as well as global diplomacy
and local tensions and conflicts. Working with researchers, diplomats, government officials,
NGOs and other institutions since 1980, UNIDIR serves as a bridge between the researchcommunity and governments. UNIDIR's activities are funded by contributions fromgovernments and donor foundations.
Note

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply theexpression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations
regarding the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or regarding
the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The views expressed are those of the authors.
They do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations, UNIDIR, their staff or theorganizations providing assistance to the Institute.
Acknowledgements
UNIDIR would like to express its
gratitude to the Government of
Benin, and the designated national
entity, the CNLCPAL, for theircooperation on the WAM baseline
assessment and to the ECOWAS
Commission for their joint support
during the assessment.
www.unidir.org© UNIDIR 2024

Authors of the report: Theò Bajon & Mohamed
Coulibaly
Authors of the Country Insight: Theò Bajon &Mohamed Coulibaly
Expert team for the WAM baseline assessment:
Gabin Chahounka, Mohamed Coulibaly, Joseph Piex
Ahoba, Theò Bajon, Nils Holger Anders, Anselme
Yabouri, Moussa Idi, Allassan Fousseini & Olivier Zoué
Design and layout: Theò Bajon & Matthew Currie
Translation: Matthew Currie & Theò BajonRepublic of Benin

Notes / References1

See « Vers un cadre national de la gestion des armes et des munitions au Bénin : Rapport narratif de l’évaluation etde base », UNIDIR, 2022. The report is available from UNIDIR and the national entity designated by the Governmentof Benin, the CNLCPAL. It can be consulted or shared with interested parties by the CNLCPAL, upon consultation andrequest.
2

See « Weapons and Ammunition Management in Africa Insight: 2023 Update », UNIDIR, 2023 : https://unidir.org/
publication/weapons-and-ammunition-management-in-africa-insight-2023-update/.
3

See « Effective Weapons and Ammunition Management in a Changing Disarmament, Demobilization andReintegration Context: A Handbook for United Nations DDR Practitioners » Department of Peace Operations, Officefor Disarmament Affairs: 2021.
4

See « IDDRS Module 4.11 on transitional weapons and ammunition management », 2020, ONU DPO et UNODA ;and « The Role of Weapon and Ammunition Management in Preventing Conflict and Supporting Security Transition», UNIDIR. 2019.
5

See Giezendanner Hardy and Shiotani Himayu. « A Reference Methodology for National Weapons andAmmunition Management Baseline Assessments », UNIDIR, Juillet 2021.
6

See Hana Salama and Emma Bjertén-Günther. Women Managing Weapons: Perspectives for Increasing Women’sParticipation in Weapons and Ammunition Management, UNIDIR 2021.
7

See Giezendanner Hardy and Shiotani Himayu. Ibid.

8

N. Bako‑Arifari. « Démocratie et logiques du terroir au Bénin », Politique Africaine, 1995.

9

Alain Antil. « Le G5 Sahel et le concept de « sécurité-développement ». Recherches Internationales, 2020: pp. 59-74.

10See « Contribution of Uniformed Personnel to UN by Country and Personnel Type - April 2022 », United Nations
Department
of
Peace
Operations:
https://peacekeeping.un.org/sites/default/
files/01_contributions_to_un_peacekeeping_operations_by_country_and_post_49_april_22.pdf.
11« Vers un cadre national de la gestion des armes et des munitions au Bénin : Rapport narratif de l’évaluation et dusuivi », UNIDIR, 2022.
12

See Vecchioni, Matilde and Topal, Sanem. « Unregulated: Examining the Global Proliferation of Craft-Produced
Weapons », UNIDIR, 2024.
13« Vers un cadre national de la gestion des armes et des munitions au Bénin : Rapport narratif de l’évaluation et dusuivi », UNIDIR, 2022.
14

The regional and international arms control instruments to which Benin has acceded are the Economic
Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons and the Bamako
Declaration at regional level, as well as the Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons, theInternational Tracing Instrument and the Arms Trade Treaty at international level.
15

See Article 24 of the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, their Ammunition and other
Related Materials.
16

Hardy Giezendanner and Himayu Shiotani. Ibid.

17

Decree No. 61-39 PR/MI of 7 February 1961, which lays down the rules governing arms and ammunition in Benin,
and Decree No. 2007-620 of 31 December 2007, which governs craft-produced firearms.
18

Namely, Law No. 2019-07 of 14 January 2020, which is supposed to lay down the regime for weapons, theirammunition and other related materials on national territory.
19

Hardy Giezendanner and Himayu Shiotani. Ibid.

20

See the functional area on the legal and regulatory framework at national level, as well as the Benin Customs
Code.
21

See the functional area on national coordination mechanisms.

22

Hardy Giezendanner and Himayu Shiotani. Ibid.

23

The marking is carried out on three parts of the weapon and includes information on the ECOWAS logo and thecountry code, as required by the standards of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), but also
contains the category of weapon, the defence and security forces component and a unique numerical code.
21Republic of Benin24

Hardy Giezendanner and Himayu Shiotani. Ibid.

25

Hardy Giezendanner and Himayu Shiotani. Ibid.

26

Hardy Giezendanner and Himayu Shiotani. Ibid.

27

Hardy Giezendanner and Himayu Shiotani. Ibid.

28

Hardy Giezendanner and Himayu Shiotani. Ibid.

22