The article under review titled “The Feasibility of Arms Control and Disarmament in Achieving Human Security: the African Experience in the post-Cold War” was published in the Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa (Vol 10). The authors of the article are Colonel Niya Mtombeni and Percyslage Chigora who is a lecturer of international relations at Midlands State University, Zimbabwe.
Conflict, violence, and war have caused a serious threat to human security in Africa. The end of colonialism and the Cold War brought the probability of ending African conflicts as most of its disputes had existed because of rivalry between colonial powers. The paper has focused on the viability of arms control and disarmament in ending human security issues in Africa.
The use of military and weapons has substantially suffered human security not only in Africa but also in several other nations. The attempt at arms control and disarmament is seen as a solution for securing survival. The two concepts of arms control and disarmament are integrated. Disarmament is the reduction or removal of certain weapons including arms, explosives, etc. Some disarmament initiatives are weapon collection initiatives, weapon destruction programs, arms embargoes, etc. On the contrary, arms control involves the regulation of arms level through diplomatic approaches, treaties, and protocols. Thus, the process of arms control and disarmament are linked with discouraging threats to human life. But in Africa, the situation had not yet improved even after the end of the Cold War. This is because of an absence of a proper conducive environment. The reasons behind such catastrophic situations include both inter and intra-state conflicts. For example, the author highlighted in the paper the private military intervention and illegitimate resource appropriation that had contributed to warfare in countries like Somalia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Similarly, the autocratic Mobutu regime in the DRC is an example of internal conflict which had led to widespread violation of human rights. Likewise, the absence of the United States as a signatory to the Land Mines Convention has allowed the presence of smart mines in African conflict situations, leading to catastrophic costs to human security.
The motivating factors behind African conflicts need to be properly addressed for more efficient achievement of arms control and disarmament. Addressing governance lapses, ensuring equitable distribution of national resources, and promoting regional cooperation are important measures for controlling the proliferation of weapons in Africa.
The paper highlights the challenges in achieving arms control and disarmament, including the rapid pace of technological change and the sluggishness of multilateral negotiation. It raises awareness about the negative consequences of conflicts in Africa where weapons meant for domestic use have become threats to human security. It also emphasizes the addressing of motivating factors. However, it lacks specific data on arms control efforts in Africa and does not mention alternative approaches or strategies for arms control and disarmament in Africa such as the role of international organizations.
Comprehensive and integrated strategies need to be implemented that involve civil society organizations in developing and implementing disarmament programs at the local, national, and regional levels. The flow of weapons in Africa should be tracked and monitored properly by establishing specific mechanisms. Non-state actors such as civil society organizations and community leaders also could be encouraged to play their role.
The writer is a student of “International Relation” at “IIUI” and a member of PYDIR.