Briefing Paper

The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) in the Horn of Africa

An integrated approach against regional and national challenges in peace and security is a growing
practice in the Horn of Africa. Other challenges aside, the Horn is most volatile in the proliferation
of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW). This policy brief explores the provisions of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) (2013) and highlights its possible contributions to the regional approach already adopted by Horn states. If adopted, the ATT will address the challenges posed by all conventional arms and set clear mechanisms of accountability, unparalleled by any other instrument. This policy brief recommends that countries that have not already signed and ratified the ATT should do so with the understanding that the agreement has provisions and benefits not covered in existing mechanisms.