FOSDA Urges Global Action to Prevent Small Arms Diversion and Enhance Security in Africa

The Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA) has issued a powerful call for international states to bolster their political resolve and take decisive action against the diversion of small arms and light weapons (SALW) into illicit markets. Speaking at the Ninth Biennial Meeting of States (BMS9) on the United Nations Programme of Action (UNPoA), FOSDA Executive Director Madam Theodora Williams Anti warned that the persistent leak of weaponry remains a primary threat to peace and stability across the African continent and the world. She emphasized that while progress has been made in international arms control, the transition of legally manufactured weapons into illegal circulation continues to undermine security efforts, fuel organized crime, and erode public trust in institutions. The consequences of arms diversion are severe, often leading to increased violence and prolonged civil instability. FOSDA pointed out that despite existing international frameworks, weapons continue to reach unauthorized users due to significant weaknesses in stockpile management and national regulatory systems. Madam Anti highlighted that for many African nations, these illicit arms are directly linked to the escalation of local conflicts, making the need for robust accountability measures and stronger national implementation of the UNPoA more urgent than ever. To address these challenges, FOSDA advocates for a comprehensive approach centered on the effective implementation of existing security frameworks and greater international collaboration. This includes strengthening national controls, improving the transparency of weapon transfers, and ensuring that political commitments are translated into tangible actions on the ground. The organization stressed that rigorous stockpile auditing and closing legal loopholes are essential to reduce the risk of weapons falling into the hands of illicit actors. The meeting also addressed the impact of emerging technologies on arms control, noting that while innovations offer new tools for tracking and regulation, they also present new challenges in manufacturing and trafficking. FOSDA urged states to invest in research and technical cooperation to ensure that these technological advancements are used to enhance security rather than bypass existing regulations. Ultimately, the organization maintains that the success of global arms control will be measured by a verifiable reduction in illicit weapons, paving the way for lasting peace and sustainable development across the continent.