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Ethiopia — Gun Facts, Figures and the Law

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StockpilesGun Numbers

Civilian Guns

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Number of Privately Owned Firearms

The estimated total number of guns held by civilians in Ethiopia is 320,0001

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Ethiopia is 0.42 firearms per 100 people

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Number of Privately Owned Firearms - World Ranking

In a comparison of the number of privately owned guns in 178 countries, Ethiopia ranked at No. 1011

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Rate of Privately Owned Firearms per 100 Population - World Ranking

In a comparison of the rate of private gun ownership in 179 countries, Ethiopia ranked at No. 1742

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Ethiopia are reported to have 1,095,0003 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Ethiopia are reported to have 104,8474 firearms

ImpactsGun Death and Injury

Number of Homicides (any method)

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Rate of Homicide per 100,000 People (any method)

ChartIn Ethiopia, the annual rate of homicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2004: 12.705
2002: 20.50
2000: 5.48
1997: 15.55
1995: 14.65

ProductionGun Industry

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Firearm Manufacture

In Ethiopia, the manufacture of small arms, ammunition and/or their components is prohibited6 7 8 9

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Export Control

In Ethiopia, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 6 10

Import Control

In Ethiopia, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 6 10

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Small Arms Imports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Ethiopia is reported to be US$11,30111 (2009)

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Market Cost of an AK-47 Assault Rifle (US$)

The asking price for an AK-47 pattern assault weapon in Ethiopia is reported to be US$25012

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Ethiopia, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are not specifically regulated by law13

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End User Certificates

Customs regulations in Ethiopia do not include6 10 certification of the intended end user of any small arms or ammunition transfer, and/or a written declaration of its intended end use

MeasuresGun Regulation

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Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

The regulation of guns in Ethiopia is categorised as restrictive14

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Ethiopia are regulated by the Ethiopian Federal Police Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs15

Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

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Regulation of Automatic Assault Weapons

In Ethiopia, private possession of fully automatic weapons is not prohibited in law16

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Regulation of Handguns

In Ethiopia, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted under licence17

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Ethiopia, unlicensed, non-disqualified persons of minimum age17 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition

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Genuine Reason Required for Firearm Licence

Applicants for a gun owner’s licence in Ethiopia are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, hunting, target shooting, personal protection, security17

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Ethiopia undefined17 required to pass background checks

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Reference Required for Firearm Licence

In Ethiopia, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are not required17

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Firearm Safety Training

In Ethiopia, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is not required17 for a firearm licence

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Ethiopia, the law requires17 18 that a record of the acquisition, possession and transfer of each privately held firearm be retained in an official register

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Gun Dealer Record Keeping

In Ethiopia, licensed firearm dealers are not required6 to keep a record of each firearm or ammunition purchase, sale or transfer on behalf of a regulating authority

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State-Owned Firearm Records

In Ethiopia, State agencies are required, on demand19, to maintain records of the storage and movement of all firearms and ammunition under their control

Gun Sales and Transfers

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Regulation of Private Gun Sales

In Ethiopia, the private sale and transfer of firearms is prohibited6

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Government

Government regulations in Ethiopia does not include19 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by state entities

Marking and Tracing Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm Marking

In Ethiopia, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is not required by law7 18

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Firearm Tracing

In Ethiopia, state authorities do not carry out7 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

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Penalty for Illicit Firearm Possession

In Ethiopia, the maximum penalty for illicit possession of firearms is 15 years of prison20 21

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Collection, Amnesty and Destruction Programmes

Authorities in Ethiopia are known to have22 implemented voluntary firearm surrender schemes, and/or weapon seizure programmes in order to reduce the number of illicit firearms in circulation

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Surrendered in Gun Amnesty

In Ethiopia, the number of firearms and/or rounds of ammunition voluntarily surrendered for destruction in recent arms amnesty and collection programmes is reported to be 11,70023 (2006-07)

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Small Arms Destroyed

In Ethiopia, the total number of firearms destroyed following recent amnesty, collection and seizure programmes is reported to be 87,50024 (2004-06) and 11,70023 to 20,00022 (2006-07)

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

African Union

In June 2006, as a member of the African Union, Ethiopia adopted an African Common Position to take to the Conference to Review the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA), held in June 200625

Regional Centre on Small Arms

In March 2000, as a member of the Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA), Ethiopia adopted the Nairobi Declaration on the Problem of Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons in the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa, then on 21 April 2004 adopted the Nairobi Protocol for the Prevention, Control and Reduction of Small Arms and Light Weapons in the Great Lakes Region, the Horn of Africa and Bordering States, a legally-binding multilateral protocol of which the RECSA is depository. The Nairobi Protocol has since been signed, and ratified26 27 by Ethiopia

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Ethiopia was absent from voting on28 negotiations towards a legally binding Arms Trade Treaty. In this vote, 151 UN Member States supported talks on an ATT, with 1 voting against, 20 abstentions, and 20 non-votes

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United Nations Firearms Protocol

The United Nations Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition has not been signed29 by Ethiopia

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Ethiopia committed to a consensus decision of the United Nations to adopt, support and implement the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects30

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Ethiopia has submitted one or more national reports31 32 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Ethiopia, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated33 32

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Ethiopia, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated33 32

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated32 by Ethiopia to other UN Member States

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UNPoA International Assistance – Recipient

Funds for UNPoA implementation have been provided32 to Ethiopia by other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Ethiopia has not declared1 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports.

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, Ethiopia has been a Member State of the United Nations since 194534

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list35 Ethiopia as a Participating State
Last Updated on 25 January 2012

Short References

1.

Karp, Aaron.2007.‘Completing the Count: Civilian firearms.’ Small Arms Survey 2007: Guns and the City.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,27 August. (Q4)Full Citation

2.

Karp, Aaron.2007.‘Completing the Count: Civilian firearms.’ Small Arms Survey 2007: Guns and the City.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,27 August. (Q5)Full Citation

3.

Karp, Aaron.2006.‘Trickle and Torrent: State stockpiles.’ Small Arms Survey 2006: Unfinished Business.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q6)Full Citation

4.

Karp, Aaron.2006.‘Trickle and Torrent: State stockpiles.’ Small Arms Survey 2006: Unfinished Business.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q7)Full Citation

5.

Petrini, Benjamin.2011.‘Sub-Saharan Africa, 1995-2008, Total Recorded Intentional Homicide, Completed, Rate per 100,000 Population.’ World Bank Homicide Rate Dataset 1995-2008.Washington DC:Social Development Department, World Bank,10 February. (Q3812)Full Citation

6.

Ethiopia.2008.‘Legislation, Regulations, Administrative Procedures.’ National Report of Ethiopia on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Ethiopia to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3742)Full Citation

7.

Ethiopia.2008.‘Marking, Record Keeping and Tracing.’ National Report of Ethiopia on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Ethiopia to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3747)Full Citation

8.

Small Arms Survey.2001.‘Ranking of World's Small Arms Producers (By Sales).’ Small Arms Survey 2001: Profiling the Problem.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q103)Full Citation

9.

AEFJN.2010.‘Other African Countries with Weapons Manufacturing Capacity.’ Arms Exports and Transfers: From Sub-Saharan Africa to Sub-Saharan Africa.Brussels:Africa Europe Faith and Justice Network (AEFJN),1 December. (Q5107)Full Citation

10.

Ethiopia.2008.‘Export Controls.’ National Report of Ethiopia on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Ethiopia to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3745)Full Citation

11.

Marsh, Nicholas.2011.‘Database of Authorised Transfers of Small Arms and Light Weapons.’ NISAT Small Arms Trade Database.Oslo:Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers,1 June. (Q16)Full Citation

12.

World Bank.2007.‘Available Kalashnikov Prices for Specific Countries and Periods.’ Small Arms Survey 2007: Guns and the City.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,27 August. (Q3)Full Citation

13.

Ethiopia.2008.‘Brokering.’ National Report of Ethiopia on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Ethiopia to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3746)Full Citation

14.

Newton, George D and Franklin E Zimring.1969.‘Firearm Licensing: Permissive v Restrictive.’ Firearms & Violence in American Life: A Staff Report submitted to the National Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence.Washington, DC:US Government Printing Office,1 January. (Q22)Full Citation

15.

Ethiopia.2008.‘National Coordination Agency.’ National Report of Ethiopia on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Ethiopia to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3741)Full Citation

16.

Cukier, Wendy.2005.‘Military Assault Weapon Prohibitions by Country – Ethiopia.’ The Feasibility of Increased Restrictions on the Civilian Possession of Military Assault Weapons at the Global Level.Waterloo, ON:Project Ploughshares: Small Arms Working Group of the Canadian Peacebuilding Coordinating Committee,1 April. (Q5148)Full Citation

17.

United Nations.1999.‘Analysis of Country Responses.’ United Nations International Study on Firearm Regulation.Vienna:UN Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division,30 August. (Q1)Full Citation

18.

Victor Karega. 2010. ‘Centre to Procure Software.’ Citizen (Dar es Salaam). 3 July. (N221) Full Citation

19.

Ethiopia.2008.‘Stockpile Management and Security.’ National Report of Ethiopia on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Ethiopia to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3743)Full Citation

20.

Ethiopia.2005.‘Prohibited Traffic in Arms.’ Criminal Code of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia – Proclamation No 414/2004.Addis Ababa:President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,9 May. (Q5229)Full Citation

21.

Ethiopia.2005.‘Control of Arms and Ammunition.’ Criminal Code of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia – Proclamation No 414/2004.Addis Ababa:President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,9 May. (Q5230)Full Citation

22.

Ethiopia.2008.‘Collection and Disposal.’ National Report of Ethiopia on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Ethiopia to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3744)Full Citation

23.

Maru, Mehari Taddele.2008.‘Arms Control and Arms Traditions in Ethiopia.’ Arms Control: Africa.Pretoria:Arms Management Programme, Institute for Security Studies / ISS,1 October. (Q5149)Full Citation

24.

Catherine Tiungu. 2006. ‘Ethiopia Burns 7,000 Guns as Region Fights Illegal Small Arms.’ East African (Nairobi). 27 November. (N231) Full Citation

25.

African Union / UNODA.2005.‘Windhoek Common Position.’ United Nations Programme of Action Implementation Support System: Regional Organisations.New York:African Union / United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,14 December. (Q3216)Full Citation

26.

RECSA / UNODA.2004.‘Nairobi Protocol for the Prevention, Control and Reduction of Small Arms and Light Weapons in the Great Lakes Region, the Horn of Africa and Bordering States.’ United Nations Programme of Action Implementation Support System: Regional Organisations.New York:Regional Centre on Small Arms / United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,21 April. (Q3218)Full Citation

27.

RECSA.2010.‘Ratified and Deposited Instruments of the Nairobi Protocol.’ Regional Centre on Small Arms and Light Weapons Website – Ratifications.Nairobi:Regional Centre on Small Arms,19 November. (Q3263)Full Citation

28.

UNGA.2009.‘Towards an Arms Trade Treaty: Establishing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms.’ UN Resolution A/RES/64/48.New York:United Nations General Assembly,2 June. (Q1886)Full Citation

29.

UNGA.2001.‘United Nations Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition.’ UN General Assembly Resolution 55/255.New York:UN General Assembly,31 May. (Q17)Full Citation

30.

UNGA.2001.‘Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects.’ United Nations General Assembly.New York:UN General Assembly,20 July. (Q18)Full Citation

31.

Cattaneo, Silvia and Sarah Parker.2008.‘Reporting, NPCs and NCAs, 2002 to 2008.’ Implementing the United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons: Analysis of the National Reports submitted by States from 2002 to 2008.Geneva:United Nations Development Programme,1 November. (Q20)Full Citation

32.

UNODA.2009.‘PoA-ISS Country Profiles.’ UN small arms Programme of Action (UNPoA) – Implementation Support System.New York:United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs,29 October. (Q1309)Full Citation

33.

IANSA.2006.‘Reviewing Action on Small Arms 2006: Assessing the first five years of the UN Programme of Action.’ Biting the Bullet 'Red Book' 2006.New York:International Action Network on Small Arms and the Biting the Bullet project,26 June. (Q166)Full Citation

34.

UN.2009.‘Member States of the United Nations.’ UN.org Web Site.New York:United Nations General Assembly,11 May. (Q290)Full Citation

35.

Wassenaar Arrangement.1996.‘Introduction: Participating States.’ Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies.Vienna:Wassenaar Secretariat,12 July. (Q19)Full Citation