Brewing Insurgency: Implications in Reasoning with Rebels in Armed Conflict

Abstract

It is axiomatic that the world is presently awash with small arms and light weapons (SALW). Although arms and weapons are rarely the root cause of armed conflict, their easy accessibility exacerbate it, leaving in its trail flagrant use of force and gross violation of International Human rights and Humanitarian laws. Non-state combatants have been most culpable in the illicit acquisition and misuse of arms yet question all international and domestic regulations to stem the use and abuse in armed conflicts. It is suggested that considerable legislative efforts and functional judicial mechanism have been advanced to ensure the compliance of Non-State Armed groups to international Humanitarian laws but the profit thereof is still the subject of debate. This study reviews the obligations of Non-State actors during armed conflict and the outcome of such implementation. The study further seeks to inquire if, and to what extent, engaging with Non-state armed groups can encourage respect for International Humanitarian Laws. Considering the review of published literature and other media sources, the study revealed that all enactments binding Non-State Actors lacked effective implementation and enforcement, while the judicial process worked at snail pace. It is concluded that their participation and input in decision making should be encourage to elicit their respect for and increased adherence to humanitarian norms.