Over 100 million small arms are circulating across Africa, with 80 per cent in civilian hands, exacerbating violent conflicts and undermining the continent’s stability, according to Global Peace Foundation Nigeria.
Rev. John Joseph Hayab, country director of the foundation, highlighted the troubling statistics during the 2024 Youth Model African Summit in Abuja, citing the Small Arms Survey: Global Firearms Holdings, 2023.
“These weapons are silent engines of destruction,” Hayab said, noting their role in fueling over 70% of violent conflicts in Africa.
He lamented the human cost, emphasising that “behind every figure is a story of shattered families, displaced communities, and stunted development.”
Hayab attributed much of the crisis to illicit trafficking, with unregistered firearms increasingly falling into the hands of armed groups, criminals, and extremists, perpetuating cycles of violence that hinder Africa’s development.
Despite the daunting challenge, Hayab acknowledged efforts to stem the tide of small arms proliferation.
The African Union’s Silencing the Guns Agenda, which aims to end gun violence by 2030, represents a key initiative. Regional frameworks, including the Nairobi Protocol, ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, and the Kinshasa Convention, reflect collective determination to address the crisis.
He explained that at the national level, countries have introduced laws regulating arms trade and possession, enhanced border controls, and initiated community disarmament programs encouraging the voluntary surrender of illicit weapons.
“These efforts are commendable,” Hayab said. “But they must be amplified and sustained to achieve our vision of a peaceful and prosperous Africa.”
Hayab urged African Union member states to enforce stricter arms control measures, align national laws with international agreements like the Arms Trade Treaty, and adopt firearm marking and tracing systems.
He also called for investment in modern border management technologies, increased patrols, and strengthened cross-border cooperation among security agencies.
“Scaling up community-centred disarmament programs alongside economic empowerment initiatives is essential to addressing the root causes of insecurity,” he said.
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