Tracking trafficked weapons using CAR’s StoryMap
CAR shows the movement of illicit weapons to Nigeria's herder-farmer conflict. (Image: Conflict Armament Research)
Conflict Armament Research has been awarded the 2021 Map Creator Customer Award by Esri UK for its creation of a StoryMap approach to visually communicate its findings and inform UN and EU policymakers.
CAR investigates illicit weapons supplies into conflict zones.
CAR published its first StoryMap using Esri’s ArcGIS Online in February 2020 to report on Nigeria’s herder-farmer conflict, which has mainly involved the nation’s Christian and Muslim Fulani rural populations.
The map was derived from evidence collected through its first field study on the trafficking of weapons and ammunition to armed groups in Northern Nigeria.
CAR extracted this data from spreadsheets and used it to create a story, explored through three case studies, of how these groups were being armed.
Using Esri’s terrain map CAR can show the movements of weapons from Turkey, the Ivory Coast and Libya.
CAR uses ArcGIS capabilities for its database on diverted weapons and ammunition into conflict zones.
CAR has also created iTrace to aid national arms export control agencies in identifying diversion risks prior to export.
iTrace automatically quantifies diversion risks and profiles the sources of diversion nationally, regionally, and globally.
More from Defence Notes
-
UK Chancellor commits £2 billion to make the country a “defence industrial superpower”
Rachel Reeves announced port upgrades, protected budgets for innovation and investment in novel technologies.
-
Avalon 2025: Australian defence budget meets the low expectations of show attendees
The Australian Budget was marked by tax cuts and a looming general election which led to little hope that there would be a substantial defence boost even with a big bill for nuclear submarines due.
-
Launch of Gilat Defense targets DoD market
The communications company Gilat launched its new Gilat Defense division at the Satellite 2025 expo, with future solutions aimed at US military customers.
-
Collins MAPS Gen II to equip US DoD watercraft
US services have already conducted multiple tests with military maritime systems fitted with the system.
-
OCCAR expects substantial boost in programme numbers “in the coming months”
Europe’s Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) “has to establish itself…as a centre of excellence for cooperative Defence Equipment Programmes” in the face of growing threats and the need for rearmament, according to the organisation’s chairman.