Circulation Of Weapons: Let’s Not Play With Fire

T he discovery in October 2026 by Cameroonian security forces of more than 4,094 rounds of ammunition concealed in bushland in Kalakafra, in the Logone-et- Chari Division of the Far North Region; the interception in late September 2026 by customs officials of 25,000 hunting and lead-shot cartridges, alongside weapons hidden beneath military clothing near Garoua-Boulaï; the dismantling of an illegal arms and narcotics network in Buea in April 2026; and the arrest in July 2026 of eight suspected gang members in Douala’s Akwa and Yala neighbourhoods, in possession of military-grade weapons, have once again brought the persistent debate over the illegal circulation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in Cameroon to the forefront. The illegal circulation of SALW remains a serious and growing threat to Cameroon’s security. These successive incidents are not isolated events to be treated as routine law-enfor­ cement successes. They are warning signs of a problem that demands urgent, coordinated and sustained action. Es­ timates by the African Union Commission’s Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC), put the number of SALW in circulation in Cameroon at more than 120,000, far exceeding the 3,800 weapons authorised by the State. This illicit arsenal which includes revolvers, pistols, hunting and sporting rifles, military-grade assault rifles, and grenades can be bought at giveaway prices de­ pending on the seller, where and the circumstances. Cameroon’s geographical position, coupled with the porosity of some of its borders, makes the country vulnerable to cross-border arms trafficking. Weapons can enter through neighbouring countries affected by conflict and organised violence. In the Far North Region, Boko Haram and affiliated armed factions continue to pose security threats. The North-West and South-West Regions remain affected by the Anglophone crisis, while Cameroon’s eastern border faces spill-over risks associated with armed groups operating in the CAR. Yet border porosity alone cannot explain the persistence of this trade. Traffickers also exploit weak checkpoints, inadequate customs surveillance, maritime routes, and river corridors to move weapons undetected. Al­ legations of corruption and complicity among individuals responsible for enforcing the law further undermine efforts to disrupt trafficking networks. The question, therefore, is: how can a country that does not manufacture firearms continue to grapple with such a substantial illicit weapons problem? More importantly, where are these weapons coming from, who is financing their movement, who facilitates their entry, and why have existing control mechanisms failed to stop them? These are questions that the authorities can no longer afford to leave unanswered. The fight against illicit arms trafficking must not be reduced to occasional arrests, seizures, and press releases. While such operations deserve recognition, their true value lies in whether they lead to the dismantling of trafficking networks, the prosecution of those responsible, and a lasting reduction in the availability of illegal weapons. Without effective investigations into the origins, financing, distribution channels, and intended reci­ pients of seized weapons, security operations risk treating the symptoms while leaving the underlying problem untou­ ched. The danger is no longer confined to conflict zones or com­ munities located along the country’s borders. Illegal firearms can find their way into urban neighbourhoods, criminal gangs, and other violent networks, transforming ordinary disputes into fatal encounters. The weapon that crosses a border illegally today could be used in an armed robbery to­ morrow, intimidate a family, threaten a business, or claim an innocent life. Cameroon must therefore recognise that the proliferation of illicit weapons is not merely a border-se­ curity issue; it is a national emergency with direct implications for public safety, social stability, and economic development. The consequences of failing to control small arms and light weapons are devastating. Their widespread availability can intensify armed conflicts, sustain insurgencies...