After a 27-year civil war, Angola was left with a significant surplus of weapons and ammunition stored in inadequate and unsafe infrastructures, as well as a high number of minefields across its territory. The country also experiences a particularly high proliferation of weapons, mostly originating from the civil war period and cases of diversion from national stockpiles, that leads to further insecurity and high rates of weapons trafficking and armed crime.
In terms of Weapons and Ammunition Management (WAM), the US Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (WRA), the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) and the HALO Trust notably work with the Angolan government, police, and military to enhance the country’s Physical Security and Stockpile Management (PSSM), as well as its weapons and ammunition disposal capacities.
Source: Michael Tirre, “Angola’s Path Forward for Security and Economic Development: Weapons Management and Humanitarian Demining”, U.S. Department of State, Dipnote, https://2017-2021.state.gov/angolas-path-forward-for-security-and-economic-development-weapons-management-and-humanitarian-demining/index.html; Adesoji Adeniyi, “The Human Cost of Uncontrolled Arms in Africa. Cross-national research on seven African countries”, OXFAM Research Reports, March 2017, https://www-cdn.oxfam.org/s3fs-public/file_attachments/rr-human-cost-uncontrolled-arms-africa-080317-en.pdf; VOA, “Polícia angolana reconhece roubo de armas por membros da corporação”, 01.09.16, https://www.voaportugues.com/a/policia-angolana-roubo-armas/3489796.html; UNIDIR, “Weapons and Ammunition Management (WAM) in Africa”, Online Update Meeting Summary, 6 May 2020, https://www.unidir.org/sites/default/files/2020-07/Weapons%20and%20Ammunition%20Management%20%28WAM%29%20in%20Africa%20-%20Rapport%20English%20May%202020.pdf.
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Further information
Accidental explosions
Since the beginning of data collection in 1979 by the Small Arms Survey, 5 accidental explosions were reported in Angola (Table 1).
Table. 1 Accidental explosions in Angola (1979-2021)
Year | Location | Owner/manager | Deaths | Injuries |
2003 | Menongue | State (military) | 2 | 15 |
1997 | Luanda | State (military) | 9 | 22 |
1995 | Lubango | State (military) | 0 | 4 |
1994 | Lubango | State (military) | 2 | 32 |
1992 | Luanda | State (military) | - | 13 |
Source: UEMS Data UEMS (December 2021); Small Arms Survey. ‘Unplanned Explosions at Munitions Sites (UEMS)’. https://smallarmssurvey.org/database/unplanned-explosions-munitions-sites-uems.
Cases of diversion
Insufficient information on cases of diversion in Angola.
Disposal
Destruction, use, or export of ammunition as an indicator of a state’s ability to identify and decrease aging, unsafe, or surplus ammunition.
To decrease the above-mentioned risks of accidental explosions and diversion, Angola has disposed of its ammunition since 2006.
Table 3. Disposal of tonnes of ammunition in Angola
Year | Tonnes of ammunition |
2021 | N/A |
2020 | 40 |
2019 | 40 |
2018 | 40 |
2017 | 40 |
2016 | 40 |
2015 | 40 |
2014 | 40 |
2013 | 40 |
2012 | 40 |
2011 | 40 |
2010 | 40 |
2009 | 40 |
2008 | 40 |
2007 | 40 |
2006 | 40 |
Source: U.S. Embassy in Angola, “United States Government Provides Additional USD 11.1 Million For Humanitarian Demining And Weapons Stockpile Management In Angola”, Press Release, 19.10.2020, https://ao.usembassy.gov/united-states-government-provides-additional-usd-11-1-million-for-humanitarian-demining-and-weapons-stockpile-management-in-angola/.
Needs
Further requirements for an effective through-life management of ammunition in the country.
No needs have been reported for Angola.