Publication

This paper provides an overview of arms transfers to and within Central, North and West Africa. Whereas in most cases the volumes of arms imported by countries in these regions have been small, many countries have in recent years experienced violent conflicts. A key challenge is to understand which arms supplies provoke, prolong or aggravate these violent conflicts and which supplies contribute to security and stability. The author states that based on such an understanding, we can assess how arms exporters and importers can better coordinate their arms transfer policies and how an arms trade treaty can play a role in that.