In an operation against arms trafficking in Central Africa, the Chad-Sudan joint force has intercepted a substantial cache of weapons en route to Lake Chad. The haul, comprising 296 firearms of various calibers, including two RPGs and 17 pistols, was showcased to the media by the joint force.
The seizure took place during a law enforcement operation in the village of Teleguey, located in the Djourfal Ahmar Department. The display of the seized arms was conducted in the presence of notable figures such as the Governor of Ouaddaï Province, General Bachar Ali Souleymane, and the Coordinator of the Eastern Operational Zones, General Ousmane Bahar Mahamat Itno.
This event underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the Sahel region, where criminal organizations and terrorist groups exploit vulnerabilities to traffic illicit goods, including weapons, ammunition, and counterfeit medicine. The porous borders of countries like Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, The Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, and Senegal have historically facilitated legitimate trade but now serve as conduits for illegal activities.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) emphasizes the need for a collaborative regional approach to combat organized crime effectively. The illicit economy not only finances but also equips extremist groups, contributing to a significant rise in violence across Africa. In 2022, extremist violence claimed over 19,100 lives, marking a 48% increase from the previous year, with the majority of incidents occurring in the Sahel and Somalia.
The most popular weapon, the Kalashnikov AK-47 has been in all conflict in Africa since the 1950s. A rifle of choice for rebels, terrorists, drug lords and gangsters alike. This singular firearm has seen the rise and fall of African empires, dictators and nations from the North down to the South. Virtually everyone in Africa has heard about it and it symbolizes either a tool for self-defense, oppression or liberation depending on the welder. The AK-47 has seen battles from the urban cities to the dense Central African jungles, the harsh North African desert down to the Southern Savannah. The former Egyptian president Anwar Sadat was assassinated by an AK-47 welding Islamic jihadists, Ugandan president Idi Amin secured his life presidency by arming his troops with the AK-47.
Arms trafficking particularly benefits violent extremist groups such as al-Shabaab, Ansaroul Islam, Islamic State Sahel Province, Islamic State in Somalia, and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen. The use of explosives, often sourced from illegal mining operations, further exacerbates the situation.
The issue of arms supplies to rebel forces remains contentious, with evidence suggesting that the Sudanese Government has provided support to Chadian armed groups. Despite official denials, investigations indicate that weapons, including those of Chinese origin, have been funneled to rebels in Chad. The dynamics of the arms trade in the region are complex, with flows occurring in both directions between Sudan and Chad, raising concerns at the international level.
Similarly, in 2021, Sudanese authorities confiscated a large shipment of arms arriving from neighboring Ethiopia, in Khartoum International Airport. The shipment arrived on an Ethiopian Airlines passenger flight, and an investigation is underway, without giving further details. According to local sources, the weapons had originally been sent from Russia to Ethiopia in May 2019 and were held by authorities there for two years.
The interception of these weapons by the Chad-Sudan joint force is a positive step towards disrupting the flow of arms in the region. However, it also highlights the broader challenges of addressing organized crime and terrorism in an area where state fragility and porous borders create an environment conducive to such activities. The international community’s continued support and cooperation are essential in bolstering regional efforts to ensure stability and security in the Sahel.