Challenges and Prospects of Combating Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons Trafficking, The Case of Ethiopian Federal Police Commission
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Date
2020-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
licit trafficking of Small Alarms and Light Weapons is one of the prominent challenges
that states and governments suffered from. It is recognized as weapon of mass
destruction in contemporary conflicts and the most preferable choice in conflict and
crisis situations. The main objective of the study was to explore the challenges and
prospects of EFPC in combating illicit firearms trafficking. The study was a qualitative
case study using both primary and secondary source of data. Non-random sampling
technique which includes purposive and snowball sampling were used. Data were
collected through in-depth interview from key informants and Focus Group Discussion
with federal law enforcement institutions. Document analysis and observation were also
used as sources of data. The study reveals that the trend of illicit firearms trafficking is
increasing and remained as key threat to human and state security. Findings of the study
identified that, internal political instability, economic factors, regional instability and
weak law enforcement responses are major reasons for the increased trend of illicit
trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapon. The findings also show that law
enforcement practice of EFPC was weak and challenged by institutional and structural
gaps, absence of comprehensive & well-articulated policy and legal frameworks,
functional and jurisdictional overlapping, accountability and transparency problems all
leading to inadequate law enforcement response. To enhance capacity of the institution
in combating illicit trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons, the study has
recommended the following points. Strengthening capacity of institutions, establishment
of dedicated departments and rearranging existing institutional structures, promoting
accountability and transparency, maintaining strong multilateral cooperation with
neighboring states are the recommendations.
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Keywords
Combating, Illicit Trafficking, Small arms and Light weapons, Challenges, Ethiopian Federal Police Commission.