Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1298 of 31 July 2019 in support of an Africa-China-Europe dialogue and cooperation on preventing the diversion of arms and ammunition in Africa

1 The purpose of this Decision is to contribute to preventing and combating the diversion of arms and ammunition in Africa.

2 Pursuant to paragraph 1, the Union shall support the following objectives: (a) to raise awareness of stakeholders in Africa, China and the Union on how the illicit flow of arms, particularly small arms and light weapons (SALW) and their ammunition, to unauthorised actors contributes significantly towards exacerbating insecurity and violence in various parts of Africa, thereby undermining social cohesion, public security, socio-economic development and the effective functioning of state institutions; (b) to promote accountability and responsibility with regard to the legal arms trade and by demonstrating to stakeholders in Africa, China and the Union how effective arms export control can contribute to mitigating the risk of diversion of arms into the illicit market.

3 To achieve those objectives, this Decision shall support the establishment and development of a joint non-governmental Africa-China-Europe Expert Working Group on conventional arms control (the ‘EWG’), the main tasks of which will be to increase awareness and engagement and bring about action by the policy communities in Africa, China, and the Union, and to strengthen regional and international cooperation to prevent the diversion of arms and ammunition in Africa.

4 The expected outcomes of this Decision are the following: (a) better understanding of the impact of arms diversion and misuse in Africa resulting from joint research and action-oriented analysis by African, Chinese and Union researchers and academics, with recommendations for specific projects supported by China; (b) increased awareness by stakeholders in Africa, China and the Union of the role of effective arms export control in mitigating the risk of diversion and negative impacts of illicit arms and ammunition in Africa; (c) increased contribution of China to relevant international and regional initiatives, including the African Union's Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2020 initiative and the implementation of the ATT; (d) the consideration of small arms control on the agenda of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) dialogue; (e) creation of new fora bringing together experts from government, civil society, business and academia from Africa, China and the Union, who will help inform the EU-China High-level Strategic Dialogue.

5 The direct beneficiaries of the projects will be an estimated 500 policy community actors in Africa, China and the Union, including non-governmental organisations, think tanks, industry representatives, government officials in charge of conventional arms control, and parliamentarians. The indirect beneficiaries will be the population, communities, groups and individuals in Africa who are adversely affected by the proliferation of illicit arms and ammunition in the continent.

6 A detailed description of the project is set out in the Annex to this Decision.

1 The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (‘HR’) shall be responsible for implementing this Decision.

2 The technical implementation of the project referred to in Article 1 shall be carried out by the non-governmental organisation Saferworld.

3 Saferworld shall perform its tasks under the responsibility of the HR. For that purpose, the HR shall enter into the necessary arrangements with Saferworld.

1 The financial reference amount for the implementation of the project financed by the Union referred to in Article 1 shall be EUR 994007.

2 The expenditure financed by the reference amount set out in paragraph 1 shall be managed in accordance with the procedures and rules applicable to the Union budget.

3 The Commission shall supervise the proper management of the expenditure referred to in paragraph 1. For that purpose, it shall conclude the necessary financing agreement with Saferworld. The financing agreement shall provide that Saferworld is to ensure the visibility of the Union's contribution, appropriate to its size.

4 The Commission shall endeavour to conclude the financing agreement referred to in paragraph 3 as soon as possible after the entry into force of this Decision. It shall inform the Council of any difficulties in that process and of the date of conclusion of the financing agreement.

1 The HR shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of regular quarterly reports prepared by Saferworld. Those reports shall form the basis of the evaluation to be carried out by the Council.

2 The Commission shall report on the financial aspects of the project referred to in Article 1.

1 This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

2 This Decision shall expire 36 months after the date of conclusion of the financing agreement referred to in Article 3(3). However, it shall expire six months after the date of its entry into force if no agreement has been concluded within that period.