The relationship between human security, demand for arms and disarmament in the horn of Africa

Abstract

The drive to find security through possession of weapons is linked to the history and culture of a social group. Amongst pastoralists in the Horn of Africa there is a failure of security through state systems such as police and the recent replacement of less‐lethal traditional weapons by small arms and other light weapons. A warrior or vendetta culture with these arms leads to violent inter‐clan clashes with many casualties, although traditional methods of weapons control still seem operational within clans. Understanding the drive to seek weapons is essential in finding ways to control their use. Improving the capacities of the police must come hand in hand with human rights training and an end to corruption. Further work is required on how traditional methods of arms control can be co‐operatively linked with state controls.