Impact of International Arms Trafficking on Peace and Security in Africa- Case of Somalia and Kenya

Abstract

Africa is faced by various challenges such as maintaining peace and security. This can be evidenced by increase in the number of refugees in the last decade, increase in the number of internally displaced persons, intentional killing of civilians, torturing and using of child soldiers among others. Various efforts have been put in place in terms of treaties and protocols by the state actors to deal in challenges of security concerns. However, security concerns seem to worsen overtime especially with the misuse and rise of illegal arms. The rise of illegal arms possession is attributed to complex innovative trafficking. Therefore, this study seeks to examine the root causes of International Arms Trafficking (IAT) in Africa by looking at Kenya and Somalia as case studies, the study further examined the nature and trends of IAT, major impacts of IAT, the various mechanisms put in place to help combat the problem and the challenges and opportunities encountered in addressing the problem. The study also evaluated how successful the mechanisms put in place by the state and various international organizations and it identify the obstacles which act as setbacks. The study used realism theory in the course of analysis. Realism theory only recognizes states as the sole key actors of the international system. Hence, in reference to IAT this is carried out by non- state actors to undermine state sovereignty. As a result, states and non-state actors are often in an asymmetrical confrontation. The theory identified IAT as a unique challenge to the state system. The study relied on both secondary and primary data, these included telephone interviews and online questionnaires. The study established that the nature and trends of unlawful AT form part of the contributing factors driving the demand and supply of arms in Kenya and Somalia. With a constant supply of firearms to Africa, their usage becomes uncontrollable. In return, international proliferation of arms, which traces back to the world war, take root in various countries. Consequently, such weaponry in Kenya and Somalia, and other African countries poses threats to Africa's peace and security. The study also revealed that the proliferation of illicit firearms in Africa affects the national safety of developing countries and human security by giving rise to conflicts and insecurities within social settings; the impact of IAT on peace and security include: compromised human security, underdeveloped countries falling victims of violence because of anarchy and political instability, insecurity and poor health, massive debt and natural disasters that mar developing countries; Opportunities in managing illicit AT include establishing the sources of illegal arms such as unlicensed craft production and foreign flow of illicit weapons, tracking weapons and ammunition seizures and pricing and giving civic education to the people. The challenges encountered in managing illicit AT include: porous borders in that countries pay less attention to border control hence paving the way for continued smuggling of illegal goods, including drugs, humans, and firearms, high and low level forms of corruption in Kenya and Somalia, presence of refugees, poor condition of state security forces caused by a slow development of social and economic democracy, political instability and inadequate policy framework. This study therefore, makes the following recommendations: there is need to establish an arms control management system, exercising border control and monitoring and having a proper refugee’s management system