Africa Action Calls for Greater Arms Control in Sudan As Elections Draw Near


Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 (Washington, DC) – As time draws nearer to the date, April 11th, when the people of Sudan will participate in democracy’s most important tenant—elections—Africa Action calls for greater restrictions and transparency on the supply of military materials to both the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM). 

Africa Action notes that recent evidence has come to light showing that weapons, both small and sophisticated, are entering Sudan’s borders through U.S. allied states Kenya, Eritrea, Egypt, Chad and Ethiopia. This development points to a possible return to all out conflict and a deterrence to the participation of the Sudanese people, but also an opportunity for the U.S. to leverage its market power in global arms sale to ensure parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement do not have such easy access to such large supplies of weapons.

Gerald LeMelle, Africa Action’s Executive Director, said today “For their to be peace and stability in Sudan, the U.S. must use its leverage in the international community to stop our allies from continuing to serve as willing conduits for weapons transfer into Sudan.”

The U.S. ranked first in arms transfer agreements with developing nations at $29.6 billion in 2008.[1]  With this intimate connection to arms sale, its market share power alone has considerable effect on the global arms industry.

Michael Stulman, Associate Director for Policy and Communications, said “Given the regional security issue at hand, it will be critical that the U.S. support the African Union as a continental watch dog, and the UN as an international agencies, to place pressure on member countries responsible to the deteriorating peace situation in Sudan.”

Gerald LeMelle, Africa Action’s Executive Director, is available for comment.

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[1] http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/weapons/R40796.pdf