Tanzania: Small Arms Proliferation in East Africa and National Security

Abstract

This article examines the effects of the proliferation of small arms on Tanzania’s national security. Engaging the security dilemma theory, regional security complex theory and ideas about state weakness, the paper argues that the prevalence of small arms in Tanzania negatively shape the social, economic and political milieu with profound consequences for the stability and security of the country and region both in the short and longterm. While Tanzania continues to be relatively stable, it suffers from the proliferation of small arms. This may erode its long observed image as the anchor of East African stability if not urgently addressed. The paper concludes that Tanzania has both strengths or successes and weaknesses in its efforts to mitigate the small arms challenge in which the former need to be strengthened to avert the country’s image of peace and stability in East Africa from becoming an illusion.