The Quest for Global Security and the Politics of Weapon Control in Africa. The Nigerian Experience

Chapter One of The Quest for Global Security and the Politics of Weapon Control in Africa. The Nigerian Experience

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The effort of many nations to achieve peace and stability in their domain and in the international scene continually seem to be far from being attained due to the growing rate of violence, terrorism, conflict in many regions in the world. This is predominantly due to the proliferation of small arms and weapons of war circulating freely in the hands of unauthorized persons. It is estimated that about 875 million small arms and light weapons are in circulation globally which constitute threat to international peace and security. According to Global Facilitation Network Security Sector Reform, countries as France, Russia, China, UK and USA are responsible for 88 percent of the world’s exports in conventional arms. In Africa, the proliferation of conventional arms is responsible for the prolonged conflict, violations of human rights and international humanitarian law and threat to national and regional security. In Nigeria, arms conflict, terrorism, communal clashes, armed robbery, kidnapping are perpetrated freely due to the proliferation of illegal weapons of war and the aid of Small arms and light weapons. The study seeks to appraise the quest for global security and the politics of weapon control in Africa and the Nigerian experience.