The Impact of Weapon Proliferation in the African Sahel Region on Sudanese National Security

Abstract

This paper aims to examine the security threats in the geographic surroundings of Sudan and the Sahel region, in light of the growing phenomenon of illicit arms proliferation. This trend is largely driven by the weakening of state institutions across the region, the eruption of ethnic conflicts, and the complete collapse of the state in Libya. The study focuses on analyzing the sources of arms proliferation, exploring the dimensions of this escalating phenomenon, and assessing its implications for Sudan's national security. The paper highlights that the most significant threat facing Sudan stems from the uncontrolled spread of weapons across its borders with neighboring countries, which constitutes a major source of instability. The study concludes that arms proliferation is closely linked to other phenomena that threaten national security, including terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking, and human smuggling.