ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES( ECOWAS) INITIATIVES ON ARMS CONTROL AND DISARMAMENT 1999-2023

Abstract

This paper is an evaluation of the prospects and challenges of Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS ) initiatives on arms control and disarmaments in West Africa. The study was motivated by the menace caused by the illicit flow of Small Arms and Light Weapons into West Africa and as a result of the flow of these illicit arms into West Africa there are many loss of lives, destruction of property, banditry, Kidnapping, ethnic and religious conflicts, armed robberies, rape, farmers-herders clashes, cattle rustling, political violence among others. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate the prospects and challenges of the (ECOWAS) initiatives on arms control and disarmament in West Africa from 1999-2023. The study adopted descriptive research through the content and thematic analysis of the data collected through secondary method. The study revealed that illicit flow of arms into West Africa has caused a great havoc such as destruction of lives and property, frequent farmers – herders clashes in most West African countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso among others. The study equally revealed that West Africa has become a den of insurgents, Boko Haram terrorists, and militants as a result of these illegal arms finding its way into the hands of these criminal elements. The study recommends that international community and ECOWAS should take proactive measures to nip this ugly illegal flow of arms into West-Africa in the mud for security and peace to be the order of the day in West Africa.