D.R. Congo: 300,000 weapons in the hands of civilians
	300,000 weapons are held by civilians in the east of D.R. Congo, according to a new report by Groupe de recherche et d'information sur la paix et la sécurité (GRIP, Brussels) and the Bonn International Center for Conversion (BICC). In a study of 10,000 households in five Eastern Congolese provinces or districts, the report found that more than one family in eight had experienced armed assault over a six month period. In a press release, the authors said the report "Should help to provide a basis for an action plan for disarming civilians throughout the D.R. Congo". Read more...
Parliamentary Forum on Small Arms and Light Weapons
	300,000 weapons are held by civilians in the east of D.R. Congo, according to a new report by Groupe de recherche et d'information sur la paix et la sécurité (GRIP, Brussels) and the Bonn International Center for Conversion (BICC). In a study of 10,000 households in five Eastern Congolese provinces or districts, the report found that more than one family in eight had experienced armed assault over a six month period. In a press release, the authors said the report "Should help to provide a basis for an action plan for disarming civilians throughout the D.R. Congo". Read more...
The Report Rhetoric or Restrain?
	On the 23th November, a group of the European coalition on arms launched the report “Rhetoric or Restrain? Trade in military equipment under the EU transfer control system. A Report to the EU Presidency. The report is a kind of “black book” on arms exported from the EU to conflicting countries. They are cases where the European decision-makers appear to have forgotten that EU States are obliged to base decisions on the conduct of the recipient and against the risj that certain negative consequences may ensue, as set out in the EU Code/Common Position criteria, a principle to which licensing authorities are recommended to return. Find the report...
Southern Sudan: Upper Nile State action network on small arms established
	On 6 November, The Upper Nile State Action Network on Small Arms (UNANSA) was established during a workshop in the northern border town of Malakal in Southern Sudan. The workshop focused on small arms and security in relation to the referendum on the independence of Southern Sudan scheduled for January 2011. The Southern Sudan Action Network on Small Arms (SSANSA) organised the event with support from Saferworld. Geoffrey Duke of SSANSA said, “The participants considered it necessary to establish a strong network in Upper Nile state that will be able to address issues relating to cross border conflicts associated with the availability of guns”. SSANSA is planning to facilitate the establishment of similar state ‘ANSAs’ in all the ten states of Southern Sudan.
Kenya: Policeman on shooting spree raises concern about armed officials
	10 people were killed when a policeman went on a shooting spree with a G3 assault rifle in Siakango, Kenya on 6 November. Two of his colleagues were among the victims. The Kenya Action Network on Small Arms (KANSA) said the incident raises concern about the handling of official firearms in Kenya, and the threat posed by the proliferation and misuse of small arms in general. They said, ”KANSA will keep monitoring the situation and take pro-active measures to enlist the support of stakeholders with a view to ensuring that the situation is contained”. Read more...
Court victory for South Africa Firearms Act
	Gun Free South Africa applauds a High Court decision confirming that the National Firearms Act is constitutional and that the state does not have to pay compensation for voluntarily surrendered guns. Read more...
Paper on arms control in Africa
	The Institute for Security Studies has released a new issue of ‘Arms Control: Africa’. It focuses on recent arms control developments undertaken by African states including the adoption of the Kinshasa Convention on small arms control in Central Africa. Read more...