drc: Illicit Small Arms Undermine Peace Efforts

There are an estimated 100 million small arms in the hands of individuals, or militia groups, in Africa, according to various reports. The proliferation of such weapons was the major factor in the ethnic and religious strife, political instability and violent crime on the continent, the reports say. A Kalashnikov, or an AK-47 rifle, costs as little as 15 U.S. dollars in Bunia, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.