Civil Wars, Complex Emergencies, and the Proliferation of Small Arms in Africa

Abstract

Today, two of the most pressing security threats that affect peaceful coexistence, economic growth and development, as well as the consolidation of democratic ideals in Africa are civil wars and complex emergencies. These have no doubt hampered all sorts of human progress which could bring even developments in all ramifications of life. The civil wars and complex emergencies are aided by proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs). This chapter examines the availability of the SALWs which are manufactured by factories largely outside Africa, and its impact on fueling civil wars and complex emergencies on the continent. The chapter reveals that the availability and use of SALWs—both at the onset and in the course of protracted conflicts—have provided a cheap means for mass destruction, human displacement and state disintegration in Africa. The chapter recommends that the application of proper Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) programs, strict arms licensing regime and collaborative law enforcement would help in many ways in containing the proliferation of SALWs in Africa, and de-escalation of conflicts in the continent.