Arms Proliferation and Conflicts in Africa: The Sudan Experience

Abstract

The Sudanese conflict has claimed so many lives and property not because its settlement would not have been achieved but because of the perceived role of small arms and light weapons. The paper argues that the availability of arms in the hands of the belligerents was responsible for the intensification and escalation of the conflict as the belligerents use them as a major support to maintain their ground. It adopts the Frustration-Aggression theory, explaining that the rebels in South Sudan went into the fighting as a result of frustration at achieving self-determination. The Sudanese government had ruled with Islamic policies without considering other segments that practice other religions. To rid the society of illicit arms, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes are carried out sincerely to avoid renewed war. Again, there should be enlightenment programme on the dangers of gun possession and peace education that advocates non-violent resolution of conflict.