Juba, South Sudan | Xinhua | South Sudan on Friday called on the United Nations Security Council to lift the existing arms embargo, after it deployed the first battalion of 750 soldiers to Malakal town of Upper Nile state without firearms. Michael Makuei Lueth, minister of Information and Communication, Technology and …
Read More »Court Martial frees South Sudan General first charged in 2018
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The General Court Martial in Makindye has freed Lt. General William Mark Orobi from South Sudan People’s Liberations Army-SPLA. It came after the prosecution dropped the charges of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition against Orobi. The general first appeared before the former court martial …
Read More »Russia is largest supplier of weapons to Africa – new report
Arms tracking data shows why 17 African countries could have abstained in a UN vote to condemn the superpower Kampala, Uganda | IAN KATUSIIME | A new report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), an organisation that tracks arms trade, indicates that Russia was the largest supplier of …
Read More »Uganda buys Chinese arms for war on ADF
A partnership between the UPDF and one of China’s largest defence contractors could upset allies America Kampala, Uganda | IAN KATUSIIME | On Nov. 30, the Ugandan army alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Forces (FARDC) launched joint air and artillery strikes against camps of the Congo-based Uganda rebels …
Read More »Reformed rustlers flee for their lives after handing guns to army
Moroto, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Karimojong ex-rustlers who voluntarily handed over their guns to the army and received certificates from the forces have abandoned their homes for fear of being attacked by armed rustlers who are accusing them of surrendering. Peter Apuun, one of those who handed over his gun …
Read More »FIREARMS: 82 Karimajong warriors sentenced
Moroto, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The UPDF 3rd Division Court Martial has sentenced 82 Karamojong warriors to prison for Illegal possession of firearms. Col. Francis B. Bateraho, the 3rd Division Court Martial Chairperson delivered the sentences on Friday at Moroto Government Prison. The sentences ranged from 3- 10 years. …
Read More »African arms market to grow by 50 percent over five years: analyst
Abidjan, Ivory Coast | AFP | Africa’s arms market is likely to grow by 50 percent over the next five years, analyst Stephane Konan said at a four-day trade show in Ivory Coast. “The African market in defence represents only a drop of water in relation to the world market: 42.6 …
Read More »Putin rejects US claim Russia breaking arms treaty
Moscow, Russia | AFP | President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday dismissed US claims Russia is violating a major Cold War treaty limiting mid-range nuclear arms, as a senior general lashed out at Washington’s attempts to “contain” Moscow. The tense rhetoric comes a day after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said …
Read More »Macron rejects calls to halt Saudi arms sales over Khashoggi
Bratislava, Slovakia | AFP | French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday brushed off pressure to halt lucrative arms sales to Saudi Arabia over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, saying such calls were “pure demagoguery”. Sales of weapons to Riyadh — France’s second biggest customer after India — have “nothing …
Read More »Trudeau: Canada could scrap Saudi defense deal over rights
Montreal, Canada | AFP | Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada could cancel a multi-billion dollar defense contract with Saudi Arabia following the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, in an interview broadcast Sunday. Trudeau, speaking on French-language talk show “Tout Le Monde En Parle” — recorded Thursday, before Riyadh confirmed …
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