The Character of the Post-Colonial State and Arms Proliferation in Fragile Democracies in Africa: The Nigerian Experience

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the struggle for state power and the increasing number of SALWs on the African continent, as well as the threat this poses to democracy and national cohesion. The study used secondary data to demonstrate the association between the power struggle and the expansion of SALWs in Nigeria and throughout Africa. The findings imply that the features of the post-colonial state characterize African politics, especially Nigerian politics. This state- sponsored consolidation of political and economic power has resulted in a fierce and violent fight for control of the state's authority between people and social groupings. This conflict has led to the use of SALWs. It is argued that the political elite demand that they reconsider the notion that the wellbeing of the great majority of people in society should be the state's main priority.