Addressing the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Problem in Africa

Abstract

The issues associated with the proliferation of various forms of Small Arms and Light weapons (SALW) in sub-Saharan Africa, are very disturbing.  These weapons have contributed in no small way, to the current state of insecurity on the continent. SALW can be easily procured on the black market, and due to the porous nature of national borders, smuggled from one country to the other for enterprises that are not in the least noble and humane. This paper attempts to throw more light on the problem and to proffer practical solutions that can be applied to comprehensively arrest this menace.