Forests, Ungoverned Spaces and the Challenge of Small Arms and Light Weapons Proliferation in Africa

Abstract

Forest Management not only deals with the governance of the flora and fauna, but also when properly executed, denies a safe home to criminals and smooth running of smuggling, human and drug trafficking and indeed Small Arms and light Weapons proliferation (SALWs). Of recent the porous borders in most African countries have  constituted a major security threats to states and communities within the continent. The situation is largely attributed to "forest policy gaps" and inadequate control of small arms and light weapons in vast rural forests and urban fringes in the continent. Most of African forests are now hideouts of non-state actors where they recruit, train and launch attacks to security personnel, road users, government institutions and defenceless communities. The areas are increasingly becoming the centre for terrorism, militancy, insurgency, cattle rustling, armed Robbery, kidnapping, extortion, raping, ritual killings and armed banditry more especially in Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Kenya, Niger Republic, Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria, etc. It is against this background that this chapter examined the linkage between Forest Management, SALWs proliferation and African security challenges. It focuses on the implications of ungoverned forests and illegal SALWs proliferation to African security. Out of 640 million small arms circulating globally, it has been estimated that 100 million are found in Africa about 30 million in sub-Saharan Africa and 8 million in West Africa, alone. African countries spent over 300 billion dollars on armed conflict between 1990 and 2005, equalling the sum of international aid that was granted to them within the same period. An estimated 79% of small arms in Africa are in the hands of civilians. Between 2000 and 2013, there were over 40 communal clashes, sectarian violence and ethno-religious conflicts with each claiming hundreds of lives and properties, and internal displacement of women and children. This chapter reveals that there are a number of challenges bedevilling forest managment in Africa. The key factor is the proliferation of small arms which has given spawned and exacerbated existing and emerging forms of insecurity such as militancy, insurgency, kidnapping, cattle-rustling and highway robbery. The chapter emphaise the imperatives of arms control and forest management.  Therefore, until the African forests are properly managed and drastic measures are put in place to arrest illegal supply of arms and draconian actions were taken against both security personnel and other government officials found guilty on arms deal, the African states commitments to achieve sustainable peace and development will remain elusive.