Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons Trafficking: Its Contributory Factors and Key Actors in Selected Areas of Ethiopia

Nowadays, illicit small arms and light weapons (SALW) trafficking become a great threat to the peace and security of Ethiopia. During 2020, in all parts of the country, the seizure of illicit SALW was the agenda of many media, security organs, and the people. Thus, this study aims to explore the factors related to the drive and key actors for illicit SALW trafficking in Ethiopia. The study areas covered purposively selected parts of the country. The study employed a qualitative research approach. The data was collected through interviews and group discussions. Accordingly, 19 inmates, 32 police officers, 9 militias, and 9 community leaders were involved through purposive sampling and then thematically analyzed. The key finding revealed that demand-related factors include self and property protection, the social value attached to carrying guns, monetary benefits, and the weakening of peace and security of the country. In the supply dimension, the diversion was boldly discussed in the form of diverting SALW from legal sources to illegal markets from security force stockpiles, misuse of ammunition while on active duties, evading of weapons from training and military camps, and selling confiscated and escaped members’ weapons which end up in illicit circulation. Also, illicit SALW is trafficked to the country by members of security forces due to its wideness and by security forces members who cross the border to return with illicit firearms. The major key actors were truck drivers and their assistants as well as agents/brokers. Therefore, the study recommends that the law enforcement measures of the government must be effective in the prevention of illicit SALW trafficking by curbing the problem of good governance, adopting a tracing and marking system, advancing border controlling security, and providing continuous training for law enforcement agents and community as well.