Horn of Africa Arms Control Network is a network which is member of almost 7 countries in African namely Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Somaliland, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda which advocates controlling small arms and light weapons in their respected countries. And advocates African countries to sing and implement ATT (Arms Trade Treaty). This campaign facilitated Oxfam International based in Addis Ababa. For decades, the Horn of Africa has been witnessing cycles of extreme waves of armed conflicts which have caused extraordinary human suffering. We have seen the destruction of livelihoods, the creation of millions of refugees, hundreds of thousands of migrations across the continent and into other continents, and conflict caused by a set of complex socio-political factors. At the same time, uncontrolled arms are flowing across Africa. The Horn of Africa is a challenging region and it continued to be so, at least since the cold war era. This is especially true when it comes to the arms question. Complexity stems from Civilians militarization, armed pastoral, piracy, inter and intra-state tensions, inter-communal conflicts and shrinking space for democratic practices. Countries across the HoA have seen the greatest influx of unregulated weapons in Africa. Weapons from small arms to anti-aircraft missiles have been the tools of civil wars that have erupted since the end of Colonialism, the emergence of military as a political and economic power, Cold War politics, and the illegal appropriation of profits from the sale of African natural resources in exchange of weaponry. Conflicts have escalated as civilians have militarized, pastoralists have armed themselves and some pastoralists markets are spots of arms trade. Democratic space is being curtailed in the name of anti-terrorism measures. Violent extremism is expanding in countries where democracy once flourished not to mention the impact of the war in Yemen. Even with RECSA (Regional Centre on Small Arms) advocates controlling small arms and light weapons. Please part of this camping you can reach the network via twitter using the hashtag (#HoAControlArms),and facebook HoA (ArmsControl Network.)
