Arms trafficking

Hello Bloggers!

Yesterday at a Security Council meeting the issue of weapons trafficking (smuggling of weapons or ammunition) was raised. UN Officials are worried that it is threatening peacekeeping processes in Central Africa. Selling of small arms and light weapons have become a popular black market structure in Central Africa and it is valued at around 300,000,000 dollars annually!

The Security Council has started encouraging states in the sub-region to join forces in order to effectively pursue measures to limit the illegal trade, implement arms embargoes and to create regional information networks on the circulation and trafficking of weapons. Many UN reports have concluded that arms trafficking dramatically increases the risk of gender-based violence and recruitment of child soldiers as well as threatening peace, security and sustainable development.

I think arms trafficking fuels wars and in the hands of terrorists these light weapons have the power to kill hundreds of innocent and vulnerable people! It violates international law and puts many people at risk.

What are you thoughts on arms trafficking and what other issues arise from it? What would you recommend in terms of limiting the illegal trade of small arms and light weapons?