An appraisal of the ecowas legal regime on proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons: a case study of nigeria

Project Abstract

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has established a legal regime to address the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons in the region. This study focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of this legal framework with a specific case study of Nigeria. Small arms and light weapons pose a serious threat to peace and security in Nigeria and the wider ECOWAS region, fueling conflicts, terrorism, and organized crime. By examining the ECOWAS legal instruments, such as the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, their Ammunition, and other Related Materials, as well as the Moratorium on Importation, Exportation, and Manufacture of Light Weapons, this research assesses the extent to which these legal mechanisms have been implemented and their impact on reducing the proliferation and misuse of small arms in Nigeria. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining a comprehensive review of relevant literature, legal documents, and official reports with interviews and surveys of key stakeholders involved in small arms control in Nigeria. By analyzing the legal framework in place, enforcement mechanisms, institutional capacity, and challenges faced in implementation, this research aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the ECOWAS legal regime in addressing the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons. The findings of this study indicate that while ECOWAS has made significant strides in developing a robust legal framework to tackle small arms proliferation, challenges persist in terms of implementation at the national level. Nigeria, as a major player in the region, plays a crucial role in combating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. The study identifies gaps in coordination among relevant agencies, inadequate resources, corruption, and porous borders as key obstacles to effective enforcement of the ECOWAS legal regime in Nigeria. Based on the research findings, recommendations are made to enhance the implementation of the ECOWAS legal regime in Nigeria, including strengthening inter-agency collaboration, increasing resource allocation, and improving monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. By addressing these challenges and improving compliance with the ECOWAS legal instruments, Nigeria can contribute to the overall goal of reducing the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons in the West African region.

Project Overview

<p> </p><div><p>This dissertation examines the Proliferation and Misuse of Small Arms and Light Weapons under the ECOWAS Legal regime taking Nigeria as a case study. The objective of this dissertation it to find out why small arms and light weapons have continued to proliferate in Nigeria despite being a signatory to the ECOWAS Legal Regime, in this case, the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons and Other Related Materials. Using Doctrinal Methodology, the dissertation shows that Small Arms and Light Weapons proliferation and misuse has increased criminality, youth violence, hostage taking, militancy, community crises, oil bunkering and insurgency. More so, it further asserts that their wide availability fuels ethno/religious conflict, political instability and has direct influence on the escalation and sustenance of peace, insecurity and development.This dissertation examines the sources of small arms and light weapons, the motivational forces behind the proliferation and Federal Government initiatives to curb this menace in Nigeria. It also focuses on the legal regime on small arms as they concern the control of small arms proliferation in Nigeria and argues that the National Law in place is out-dated and inadequate to curtail and impede the proliferation and misuse of SALW. It further argues that though the extant ECOWAS legal regime is robust enough to support any sustainable progress in this area, however, non-compliance by member States and particularly Nigeria to harmonise their laws with the provisions of the ECOWAS Convention certainly lives much to be desired.Findings revealed that the inability of the Nigeria government and the law enforcement agencies to check the supply and the demand factors of the proliferation of SALW in Nigeria has heightened and worsened the security situations in the country. To this extent, the dissertation recommended amongst others, that there should be significant changes in the National legislation harmonizing same with the ECOWAS Convention because of the minimum standard requirement in article 21 of the Convention while dealing with the demand factors of SALW that heightens the proliferation of SALW by partnering with the private sector to undertake an aggressive job creation programme for Nigeria‘s teeming and idle youths.</p><p></p></div><h3></h3><br> <br><p></p>