Enhancing Arms Control in East Africa through Technology

Security officials in East Africa are endeavouring to eradicate the illicit arms trade through the application of advanced technology to trace the origins, monitor borders, and maintain records of weapons held by legitimate entities. The East African publication reported that this subject was deliberated during a recent congregation of representatives from 26 African nations in Nairobi.

The objective of the assembly was to establish a unified stance on arms control, in anticipation of an upcoming international conference in the United States. Authorities assert that there is a growing menace stemming from the unlawful trafficking of small arms across the continent, exacerbating conflicts and presenting obstacles to long-term peace.

Raymond Omollo, the Interior Principal Secretary of Kenya, underscored the gravity of the situation, characterising the proliferation and misuse of small and light weapons as a significant threat to Africa’s peace, unity, and stability. He emphasised that these weapons persist in wreaking havoc in communities, fuelling conflicts, and impeding socio-economic advancement throughout the continent.

Dignitaries from the United Nations, African Union, and various regional blocs participated in the discussions at the conference. The African Union conveyed its commitment to formulating a unified policy to combat the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, in collaboration with member states. This strategy will necessitate substantial funding and technological advancements to trace the source and end-users of arms, as well as to monitor their expiration or recycling.

Christopher Kayoshe, acting head of the AU’s Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration/Security Sector Reform Division, stressed the importance of achieving the “silencing the guns” goal by 2030, calling for a unified stance to guide the continent and ensure meaningful deliberations at AU Commission meetings.

African governments will need to collaborate in a concerted manner to effectively address illicit arms trade. While the AU has ratified the Bamako Declaration on an African Common Position, which facilitates Africa’s participation in global discussions on illicit arms, this also assumes political stability within countries.

The matter of arms imports and exports, as well as the imposition of arms embargoes, particularly in conflict-affected countries such as South Sudan and Somalia, was also addressed. Nonetheless, illicit arms continue to flow, resulting in ongoing clashes between militias and security forces.

The forthcoming 4th Review conference (RevCon4) in New York is expected to tackle the issue of arms tracing through a plan of action on International Tracing Instruments (ITI) of illicit small arms and weapons. Maritza Chan, president-designate for the conference, emphasised the importance of holding the supply side of arms accountable.

Izumi Nakamitsu, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, stressed the negative impact of the easy availability of small arms on efforts for sustainable peace, security, and socio-economic development in Eastern and Southern Africa.

The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (Unidir) estimates that out of the 40 million small arms in Africa, 40 percent of gun ownership is illicit. Globally, it is estimated that one billion small arms are in circulation, contributing to 45 per cent of all violent deaths. In 2021 alone, 260,000 people were killed by small arms, according to Unidir.

The Africa Organised Crime Index 2023 revealed that Eastern African states are among the leaders in human smuggling, extortion, and arms trafficking. According to the report, the two most pervasive criminal markets in the region are human trafficking and arms trafficking.

In conclusion, the discussions at the Nairobi conference underscored the imperative need for a coordinated and technology-driven approach to address the illegal arms trade in East Africa, in order to ensure sustainable peace and development across the continent.