Case study: Cameroon

Description:

This research looks at the illicit trade and proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) in the Congo Basin’s ‘Triangle of Death’—the border areas linking Cameroon, Chad and the Central African Republic. The region is known for its armed gangs and banditry and is often described to be outside of state control or as ‘ungoverned territories’. A key outcome of the large scale illicit trade in and proliferation of SALW in the region is that gun violence, the amputation of legs and arms, the looting of livestock and farmlands, rape and kidnapping are recurrent experiences for residents. The cross-border dimensions of the SALW trade makes it a threat to regional security in Central Africa.

National governments, especially Cameroon’s, have adopted unilateral approaches and policies to counteract SALW trafficking and related problems in the region, but they have so far proven ineffective. A tripartite approach to the problem was launched in July 2005 on the prompting of the United Nations Office in CAR (BONUCA), however, five years on, not much has changed. In fact, the security situation in the border areas has deteriorated further. This research seeks to generate new analytical perspectives and empirical questions on insecurity in the region, especially the role of SALW trade and proliferation.