The uncontrolled spread of small arms and light weapons has exacerbated conflicts, undermined governance, and contributed to humanitarian crises as gun ownership among civilians has risen to an alarming rate.
According to a report by Small Arms Survey, as of 2017, 857 million (85%) of the one billion firearms in global circulation were in civilian hands, 133 million (13%) were in military arsenals, and 23 million (2%) were owned by law enforcement agencies.
The report further adds that the global stockpile has increased over the past decade, largely due to civilian holdings, which grew from 650 million in 2006 to 857 million in 2017.
A separate report by the U.S. Department of State on arms and conflicts in Africa highlights a significant shift in weapon sales in Sub-Saharan Africa since the end of the Cold War.
According to the report, numerous arms manufacturers have turned their focus to Africa as a lucrative market, seeking to offload surplus weapons rendered obsolete by post-Cold War political and technological advancements.
This has led to the widespread availability of inexpensive, easy-to-use, and maintainable weapons, such as AK-47s, which can be purchased for as little as $6 in some African countries.
This accessibility has fueled widespread destruction and exacerbated conflicts across the continent.
Another contributing factor to widespread civilian arms usage is the inefficiency of law enforcement and security services, which has left frustrated citizens resorting to any means necessary to safeguard their lives and livelihoods
The availability of arms prolongs and intensifies conflicts, as seen in regions like the Sahel, Central Africa, and the Horn of Africa.
Prolonged violence displaces millions of people, creating a humanitarian crisis marked by poverty, hunger, and a lack of basic services.
According to Small Arms Survey, the following African countries have the highest levels of gun ownership among civilians;
| Rank | Country | Civilian firearm owners |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Nigeria |
6,200,000 |
|
2 |
South Africa |
5,350,000 |
|
3 |
Egypt |
3,930,000 |
|
4 |
Angola |
2,980,000 |
|
5 |
Sudan |
2,770,000 |
The widespread proliferation of small arms in Africa comes despite the continent’s strict gun laws.
Despite the fact that most African countries have enacted strong legislation to combat the use of small arms, the region still holds the largest illicit small arms market, adding to the continent’s dire security crisis.
