PROLIFERATION OF SMALL ARMS AND ITS IMPLICATION ON SECURITY IN RUMBEK CENTRAL, SOUTH SUDAN

Abstract

The proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons remain a challenge to the security sector globally. The availability of these weapons causes political instability, communal conflict, posing a great threat to not only lives and property but also sustainable development. When South Sudan seceded in 2011, it was estimated that there were up to 3.2 million small arms in circulation and two-thirds of these arms were thought to be in the hands of civilians. More arms were believed to circulate during the 2013 and 2016 crisis that took place in the country. The broad objective of this study was to investigate the proliferation of Small arms and its implications on security. Specific objectives of the study were to examine the factors that influence the proliferation of small arms, establish its implications on security and evaluate the measures taken in combating the proliferation of these arms in Rumbek Central, republic of South Sudan. The study was guided by the security dilemma theory. The theory states that no actor is certain of the future motive of those who can harm them. John Hertz, one of the founders of security dilemma theory asserts that; groups or individuals who live alongside each other must be concerned about their security from being attacked by others. A descriptive research design was adopted since this would answer “what” and “how “questions needed in investigating the problem under study. Guided interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect data from a total of 96 respondents who were identified by the use of purposive and simple random sampling techniques. Qualitative data were organized and presented in text form while the quantitative data were processed and presented in tables and graphs. This study found that the proliferation of SALW had led to insecurity in Rumbek Central, affecting people's free movement from one location to another. Areas deep in villages, cattle camps, and along the border with Unity state also remained insecure from cattle theft. Cattle camp youths still possessed their arms despite the disarmament conducted by the state. Some murder cases were delayed and yet they are a source of revenge killings in Rumbek. The proliferation of small arms also led to an increase in crime rate and its associated problem such as rampant killing, looting, raping of women and girls. Although the state government tried to address this by using several measures including disarmament, the civilians in Rumbek continue to arm themselves hence causing challenge to security management. To address the problem, this study recommends the deployment of more security forces to safeguard the people and their property.