The Palgrave Handbook of Small Arms and Conflicts in Africa Usman A. Tar · Charles P. Onwurah Editors The Palgrave Handbook of Small Arms and Conflicts in Africa Editors Usman A. Tar Charles P. Onwurah Nigerian Defence Academy Nigerian Defence Academy Centre for Defence Studies and Centre for Defence Studies and Documentation Documentation Kaduna, Nigeria Kaduna, Nigeria ISBN 978-3-030-62182-7 ISBN 978-3-030-62183-4 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62183-4 © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2021 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Cover credit: zabelin/Getty Images This Palgrave Macmillan imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Switzerland AG The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland To the victims of small arms and their families for bearing the brunt of armed violence. To all the selfless individuals and organizations working tirelessly to get rid of small arms in Africa and across the world. Acknowledgements In the course of working on this book project, we have incurred debts of appreciation to a number of people and organizations who provided self- less support. First, our employers—the Nigerian Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Nigerian Defense Academy (NDA)—granted us exceptional institutional support to see this manuscript completed. In particular, the Commandant of NDA General Sagir Yaro and the Academy Provost, Professor Isa Garba proved to be highly understanding and visionary leaders that spearhead a vibrant culture of intellectual enterprise, and cordial civil–military relations both within and outside the Academy. Their relentless push on us to finish this book project has indeed paid off. We are also grateful to the professoriate, academic and non-academic staff of NDA for providing a collegial atmosphere to finish this Handbook. Sincere appreciations to the following external colleagues, some of who read portions of this volume and made valuable suggestions: Prof. Alfred Zack-Williams (University of Central Lancashire, UK), Prof. Kenneth Omeje (University of Johannesburg South Africa); Prof. Rita Abrahamsen (Univer- sity of Ottawa, Canada); Prof. Ebenezer Obadare (University of Kansas, USA), Prof. Cyril Obi (Social Science Research Council, USA); Marc-Antoine Pérouse de Montclos (Institut de recherche pour le développement [IRD] Paris); Prof. Celestine Oyom Bassey (University of Calabar, Nigeria), Prof. Rauf Ayo Dunmoye (ABU, Zaria, Nigeria); Prof. Habu Mohammed and Prof. Umar Pateh (Bayero University of Kano, Nigeria); Prof. Albert Isaac Olawale (University of Ibadan, Nigeria), and Prof. Yusuf Zoaka, Prof. Kabiru Mato and Prof. Abdulhamid Suleiman-Ozohu (all of the University of Abuja, Nigeria); Ambassador Abdu Zango, Country Director of United States Institute for Peace (USIP), Nigeria; and Dr. Usman Bugaje of the Arewa Research and Development Programme, Kaduna. A number of very senior colleagues, serving and retired, guided us and challenged our thoughts on issues of defence and security: Prof. Tijjani vii viii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Muhammad-Bande, President of the UN General Assembly; Air Marshal SB Abubakar, Nigeria’s Chief of the Air Staff; General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, Chief of Army Staff; Major General Babagana Monguno, the National Secu- rity Advicer; General Garba A Wahab, Director General of Nigeria’s Army Resource Centre (NARC); General Ibrahim Manu Yusuf, Commander of the Joint Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) of the Lake Chad Basin Commission; Rear Admiral Sanmi Alade, former Commandant of the National Defence College, Nigeria; Major General C Ofoche, former Commandant of the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN); Air Vice Marshall AS Liman, Commandant of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, and his predecessor Air Vice Marshall LS Alao. Prof. Tar’s colleagues at the Presidential Committee to Review Nigeria’s National Defence Policy—in particular, Chairman of the Committee Air Vice Marshal MN Umaru and Secretary Brigadier General Alaya—were extremely supportive. In addition, Prof. Tar’s colleagues at the Presidential Think Tank on Threats to National Security deserve sincere appreciation. The Chairman Major General AM Jibril, Secretary Major General AT Umaru, Alternate Secre- tary Captain Ahmed Chiroma and members were delightful to work with. Prof. Tar appreciates Major General Garba Ayodeji Wahab, Major General Ahmed Mohammed (Bandit), Major General Adamu Abubakar, Major General Chumkwuemeka Osita Onwamaegbu former Commandant at NDA and his successors Major General Mohammed Inuwa Idris, Major General Mohammed Tasi’u Ibrahim and Major General Adeniyi Oyebade. We appreciate the National Foundation for the Support of Victims of Terrorism (Victims Support Fund, VSF) who funds national research consor- tium to conduct research on the root causes of terrorism in Nigeria coordi- nated by Prof. Tar and domiciled at NDA’s Centre for Defence Studies and Documentation. The Fund provided a platform to engage peers and stake- holders who work on Countering Violent Extremism. In addition, Prof. Tar deeply appreciates the Alumni Association of NDA Regular Combatant Course 26 who endowed him as a Chair in Defence and Security Studies. The endow- ment enabled Prof. Tar to take time out to conduct primary and archival research, and desk work for this Handbook. We owe a debt of gratitude to Prof. Tar’s research assistants and associates— Dr. Abdullahi Yusuf Manu, Mr. Samuel Ayeba and Mr. Yekini Bello—provided auxiliary support to execute this project, especially the compilation of list of abbreviations, muster of contributor contracts and formatting of tables and figures. Members of Prof. Tar’s extended family were incredibly supportive during my regular absence to work on the manuscript. My wife, Fatima and children—Mustapha, Abubakar, Aisha, Maryam and Amaal—have been my pillar of support. Prof. Tar’s parents and siblings prevailed on him to keep going: Hajja Yakaka Mohd Tar, Alhaji Maina Tar, Alhaji Abubakar Akirga (Galadiman Afoland), Hajja Yagana Abubakar, Mustapha Tar, Hajja Fanta, Ya Fanta Mohd Tar, Momodu Mohd Tar, Jibrin Mohd Tar, Isa Mohd ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ix Tar, Architect Yusuf Abubakar, Prof. Prince Sanusi Ibrahim, Dr. Halimatu Sadiya Ibrahim, Dr. Aisha Kana, Sub-Lieutenant Faruk Ahmed, Barrister Hauwa Faruk Ahmed and ASC Kabiru Yakubu. Charles thanks his wife Mrs. CP Onwurah, his mother Mama Onwurah and siblings for their wonderful support. Words cannot convey our gratitude to folks at Palgrave Macmillan Publishers. We missed several deadlines but they encouraged us to keep going. In particular, Alina Yorova, our Commissioning Editor, and Editorial Assis- tants Mary Fata and Anne-Kathrin Birchley-Brun were profoundly patient and understanding. Finally, to those whose names are inadvertently omitted, we extend our sincere apologies. Contents 1 Introduction: The Frontiers of Small Arms Proliferation and Conflicts in Africa 1 Usman A. Tar Part I Theory and Concepts 2 Background: Small Arms, Violent Conflicts, and Complex Emergencies in Africa—A Fatal Combination 17 Usman A. Tar 3 The Theoretical Parameters of the Proliferation and Regulation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Africa 41 Usman A. Tar and Sunday Adejoh 4 The Political Economy of Small Arms and Light Weapons Proliferations in Africa 69 Moses Eromedoghene Ukpenumewu Tedheke 5 (En)Gendering the Small Arms Discourse: Women and the Management of Violent Conflicts in Africa 95 Caroline Obiageli and Agnes Okorie Part II Topographies and Contexts 6 The Context of Small Arms Proliferation in Africa: State Fragility and Management of Armed Violence 113 Chris M. A. Kwaja 7 Mapping of Conflicts and Small Arms and Light Weapons Proliferations in Africa 133 Taiye Oluwafemi Adewuyi and Mwanret Gideon Daful xi xii CONTENTS 8 External Influence, Failed States, Ungoverned Spaces and Small Arms Proliferation in Africa 161 Muhammad Dan Suleiman, Hakeem Onapajo, and Ahmed Badawi Mustapha 9 Borderland Security and Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Africa 187 Anthony Israel Rufus 10 Urban Dynamics and the Challenge of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Africa 207 Enoch Oyedele 11 Forests, Ungoverned Spaces and the Challenge of Small Arms and Light Weapons Proliferation in Africa 223 Usman A. Tar and Yusuf Ibrahim Safana 12 “Resource Curse” and “Resource Wars” and the Proliferation