From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Global Peace Foundation Nigeria (GPFN) has made some suggestions that could bring lasting peace and development in several warring communities in countries of Africa.
GPFN Country Director, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, in a presentation at the Youth Model African Summit, in Abuja, said that African leaders must first rise to contain the increasing proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the continent.
He stated that the desired peace might continue to elude the continent if the challenges of small arms proliferation is not contained, perhaps, through enhanced legislation and enforcement of necessary laws, strong border security, community disarmament programs, regional cooperations, among other realistic measures.
He said the Foundation has observed that small arms and light weapons have become silent engines of destruction in Africa, fueling conflicts, displacing millions, and exacerbating poverty. “These weapons, often unregistered and trafficked illicitly, find their way into the hands of armed groups, criminals, and extremists, perpetuating cycles of violence that rob our people of their future. The statistics are alarming.”
He made reference to recent reports by the Small Arms Survey that indicated that over 100 million small arms are in circulation in Africa, with approximately 80 per cent of them in civilian hands.
“These weapons contribute to over 70 per cent of violent conflicts on the continent, perpetuating cycles of instability and insecurity. Behind every figure is a story of shattered families, displaced communities, and stunted development.”
Rev. Hayab, said that though, African leaders have not been silent as regards the challenges, but more efforts and commitment are required to tackle the challenges and restore peace and human dignity in communities in the continent.
“As part of the African Continental Framework on Youth, Peace, and Security, we must empower young people with opportunities for education, employment, and leadership. Engaging youth as peacebuilders is key to breaking the cycles of violence.
“In addition to that, we must develop a centralized African Union (AU) database on arms flows and trafficking patterns. Also reliable data will help policymakers design targeted interventions.”
He stated that GPFN is guided by the vision of the one family under God campaign, and as a result had actively engaged with conflict-affected communities across the country, working to end violence and gun confrontations, while fostering lasting peace for sustainable development in Africa.
“Numerous civil society organizations are also making dedicated efforts to resolve grievances and address conflicts, contributing to a more peaceful world. We stands ready to collaborate with governments in advocating for disarmament, promoting dialogue, and implementing peacebuilding initiatives. We remain committed to partnering with stakeholders to amplify community voices and build resilient and harmonious societies,” he said