Key principles of the mapping approach

As has already been highlighted a comprehensive approach must be taken if a true understanding of the nature and extent of the impact of small arms in a particular country is to be gained and an effective response developed. Efforts to strengthen legislation must be combined with building the capacity of law enforcement agencies to enforce controls, enhancing controls on weapons stockpiles, removing weapons from communities, public education and socio-economic initiatives to reduce the demand for small arms. Such an approach must address both the demand for and the supply of small arms and cannot be limited to a narrow technical or solely law enforcement focus (though of primary importance) but must also address the 'softer' societal factors such as infrastructure and service provision, education and economic development. If one particular element is pursued in isolation, then the chances of success are limited - for example collecting weapons from a pastoral community without simultaneously putting in place measures to guarantee their security, encourage nonviolent conflict resolution, provide development alternatives and strengthen border controls to prevent new supplies coming in, may simply create a new demand for small arms.

Fully assessing the nature of the small arms situation in different countries and developing comprehensive NAPs to address the problem is therefore vital. This approach is designed to place efforts to tackle small arms in the context of broader development, conflict prevention and good governance issues. Small arms are a useful entry point with African governments for work on these issues and a key objective of the national assessments is to demonstrate these linkages and develop measures to ensure that small arms management initiatives can complement strategies to address broader security and safety issues. This is important both as an end in itself, since the promotion of good governance and effective conflict prevention is crucial to the long term prosperity of many African states, but also when viewed more narrowly with a specific small arms focus. The small arms problem can only be effectively addressed if the wider issues of poor governance, under-development and insecurity, which fuel the demand for small arms, are tackled. The mapping and NAP approach is based upon the recognition of the connections between these issues. The national action approach therefore discourages the view that effectively tackling the spread of small arms requires purely technical solutions to the problem.

Another key principle of the mapping approach is that the process is one of partnership ; a partnership between SaferAfrica and Saferworld and the national government, and a partnership between the national government and local civil society actors. In this way the approach aims to be fully inclusive by working with all key stakeholders; national governments and civil society as well as donor organisations. The process is also one that is initiated and led by the nationals of the particular country. SaferAfrica and Saferworld will undertake mappings only where we have been invited to do so and where there is considerable political commitment from the national stakeholders. The process is then led by the key national stakeholders with SaferAfrica and Saferworld providing the expert technical assistance and guidance. The mapping and NAP process must be owned by the national stakeholders, by the people of the country. Such a sense of ownership is fundamental to the long term sustainability of the process.

Finally, the principle of sustainability is important. The focus of the mapping and NAP in each country will be based upon what is realistically achievable with the available resources. A key element of the mapping assessment is therefore to assess what resources exist, how these can be most effectively utilised and where new resources are both needed and can be attained. A strong emphasis is thus also placed on building the capacity of the government and civil society, to provide them with the necessary resources - both human and material - to consistently and effectively tackle the small arms problem.

In addition, engagement with the donor community is important in ensuring the sustainability of a NAP. Throughout the mapping and NAP process SaferAfrica and Saferworld seek to work closely with the donor community to raise awareness of the small arms initiatives and to investigate how, and ensure that, small arms work can be and is embedded into wider development and sectoral programmes. This is important in ensuring that sustained support is given to the NAPs and that small arms is rightly viewed as a consistent funding priority. Indeed, by taking a comprehensive and inclusive approach based on partnership and local ownership, sustainability is itself enhanced.