DISARMAMENT AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY COMMITTEE

The spread of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) has caused violence and instability in East and Central Africa, specificly in countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Somalia, and the Central African Republic. The nations have long suffered from recurrent internal conflicts, insurgencies, and ethnic fighting driven by the easily accessible illegal weapons. Despite all the global efforts and peacekeeping missions, the porous borders, lack of good governance, and ongoing smuggling of arms have facilitated non-state actors, militias, and terror organizations to access and utilize SALW with impunity, prolonging conflict and civilian suffering.

Now, DISEC is at a crossroads. This committee can take a step towards the end of one of the oldest and longest-lasting threats to international peace by tackling the shadowy networks that deluge weak states with lethal weapons. Delegates have the chance—and the duty—to craft bold, bindable provisions that can end the cycle of violence. With more effective arms control agreements, regional cooperation, and disarmament measures, the international community can finally start to muffle the guns that have claimed too many lives for too long. The world is monitoring this room: will you act?