Communities tackling small arms and light weapons in South Sudan Lessons learnt and best practices

The proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons (SALW) is one of the most pervasive problems facing South Sudan, and one which it has been struggling to reverse since before independence in July 2011. Although remoteness and insecurity has meant that extensive research into the exact number of SALW in circulation in South Sudan is not possible, assessments of the prevalence of illicit arms are alarming. Based on a survey conducted in government controlled areas only, the Small Arms Survey estimated that between 232,000–601,000 illicit arms were in circulation in South Sudan in 20161 . It is estimated that numbers of SALW are likely to be higher in rebel-held areas. Estimates also vary from state to state within South Sudan. For instance, community security assessments2 - conducted by Saferworld in June 2017 - in Rumbek and Kuajok - concluded that 80 per cent of households owned at least one firearm. The presence of illicit arms in the country has contributed to a deteriorating security situation in recent years. Widespread acts of armed violence and accidents have resulted in the killing and maiming of civilians, including women and children. In addition, increased incidents of armed cattle raiding have been a cause of instability throughout South Sudan including Jonglei, Lakes, Warrap, Unity and Upper Nile states. This has been fuelled by the unchecked proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the hands of unauthorised individuals. For example, our ongoing analysis of gun-related violence and accidents by civilians recorded 107 incidents between July 2017 and April 2018. The incidents involved acts of banditry, accidental explosions and shootings, communal violence, and cattle rustling. These incidents resulted in over 200 deaths and 159 injuries as well as the destruction of property. Several attempts to disarm civilians have been unsuccessful and have increased insecurity. The lack of a consistent country-wide approach to disarmament has meant that communities who have been disarmed are vulnerable to attack from their neighbours who are not. Clumsy attempts at forced disarmament have created fear and resentment in communities. In many cases, arms end up recirculating afterwards. This occurs for two reasons: firstly, those carrying out enforced disarmaments are – either deliberately or through negligence – allowing seized weapons to re-enter the illicit market. Secondly, there have been no simultaneous attempts to address the demand for SALW within the civilian population. While conflict and insecurity persists, demand for SALW is likely to remain. In April 2017, Saferworld, with support from United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), launched a project to identify and improve community-based solutions to the threats posed by the proliferation and misuse of SALW. The one-year pilot project aimed to raise awareness among communities about the dangers of SALW by building the capacity of existing community action groups in Kuajok, Rumbek Central and Rumbek East to educate their communities. These groups met to identify, prioritise and find solutions to problems posed by the widespread availability and access to SALW. Participants developed the ideas generated through participatory action planning meetings into community action plans.