As conflicts drag on and escalate, they can cause widespread violations of human rights and exacerbate famine conditions, particularly in areas such as southern Sudan and the Horn of Africa. Wars divert scarce resources away from social services, disrupt trade, discourage tourism, and contribute to the breakdown of family structures. The pervasiveness and persistence of conflict also have grave psychological consequences as children are traumatized or become accustomed to a culture of violence. Organized crime also has become active in arms trafficking to strengthen its illegal activities. Gun runners and drug peddlers in southern Africa are beginning to pool their resources to maximize profits.
Unconfirmed reports suggest similar trends in other areas of Africa.
There has been a fundamental change in weapons sales in Sub-Saharan Africa since the end of the Cold War. Many nations and manufacturers eager to empty warehouses and arsenals of arms made superfluous by post-Cold War political and technological advancements have seen Africa as an attractive market. In some countries, it is easier and cheaper to buy an AK-47 than to attend a movie or provide a decent meal. Although the infusion of weapons is not large compared with arms transfers in the rest of the world, the impact of arms trafficking on Sub-Saharan Africa's politically fragile countries has been catastrophic. Such items accounted for the largest portion of many African military budgets.