Arms control in a rough neighbourhood: The case of the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa

This paper examines the processes leading up to the adoption of the Nairobi Protocol and the establishment of a regional coordination body, RECSA

In an attempt to address the detrimental effects of SALW proliferation, states in the Great Lakes Region and Horn of Africa adopted a regional initiative, the Nairobi Protocol, in 2004 aimed at curbing the supply and misuse of illicit SALW. The Protocol is one of the most comprehensive regional SALW control agreements in Africa, and it has impelled significant levels of cooperation between signatory states in tackling arms control issues, despite difficulties in its implementation. This paper examines the processes leading up to the adoption of the Nairobi Protocol and the establishment of a regional coordination body, the Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA), to oversee its implementation. It also attempts to assess regional and national progress made in implementing the protocol, as well as the factors that are hindering progress.

About the author

Dominique Dye is a junior researcher in the Arms Management Programme (AMP) at the Institute for Security Studies in Pretoria. She takes a particular interest in the implementation of international and regional arms control agreements in Africa, and is currently undertaking research on arms control and disarmament in the Southern and Eastern African regions.