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UN Warns of Illicit Arms ‘Chain of Violence’ as Somalia Pioneers Chemical Taggants

Security Council briefers pressed for mandates that include tracing, stockpile control and cross‑border policing to disrupt illicit flows.

Overview

  • Through the UK‑supported AmTag pilot, Somalia became the first country to deploy chemical taggants to make national ammunition stocks traceable.
  • UN and INTERPOL officials urged the Council to integrate small‑arms controls into peace operations and sanctions monitoring and to formalize INTERPOL’s role.
  • INTERPOL reported more than two million iARMS records supporting multinational seizures that dismantled networks tied to terrorism, trafficking and illegal mining.
  • Officials cited over one billion firearms in global circulation and at least 48,000 conflict‑related civilian deaths in 2024, with small arms responsible for up to 30% in some contexts.
  • Briefers flagged rising 3D‑printed ‘ghost guns’ in Western Europe and Latin America, severe impacts in Haiti and African regions, and UN estimates that 70–90% of conflict‑related sexual violence involves weapons.