Pieter D. Wezeman, Siemont T. Wezeman and Lucie Béraud-Sudreau | Stockholm International Peace Research Institute | December 2011
SIPRI has published a policy paper examining arms flows into sub-Saharan Africa. The summary of the report indicates that even legal transfers into the continent have implications for peace and security, not only because many SALW (small arms and light weapons) make their way illicitly to rebel groups or countries under UN embargo, but also because, "The supply of arms can be argued to to have been an incentive for the recipients to try to achieve their goals via violence instead of dialogue." The summary also touches on the motives behind supplier countries' weapons sales, which include securing access to natural resources in the mineral-rich continent.
There is a general need for more clarity throughout the arms-transfer process, as African governments themselves are not necessarily forthcoming in their reasons for wishing to purchase weapons, despite regular expressions of support for international arms control initiatives. With the waters this muddied, arms purchased both legally and illegally pose a serious threat to security in Africa.
(To view or purchase a copy of the full policy paper, please go to the Publications page on the SIPRI website)
Article Source: Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
Image Source: Enough Project
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