Disarmament in post conflict zones: comparative analysis of Mozambique and Sierra Leone

Abstract

Conflict and other security concerns are a common threat to any society in transition. Lack of adequate measures to disarm post conflict societies poses a serious security threat to peace and stability of not only such nations and but also surrounding regions. Further the proliferation of arms of small arms and light weapons (SALWs) has further contributed to the insecurity in post conflict societies. This study will critically examine the role disarmament plays in creating stability and preventing conflicts in post conflict societies. Through the examination of gaps in the current framework on disarmament with a focus on the control of proliferation of small arms and light weapons. This research proceeds on the basis that the proliferation of arms including small arms and light weapons and lack of disarmament in post conflict societies leads to instability in those societies. The thesis reveals that disarmament initiatives in post conflict zones helps to promote stability in such societies, further the presence of small arms and light weapons is not the main cause of instability in post conflict societies; however the addition of large numbers of small arms into regions suffering from an array of instability factors increases the lethality and scope of the conflict’s potential of such region.