Every new shipment of weapons that arrives in Africa fills Nyararai Magudu with less hope that G-8 leaders will ever answer Amnesty International's plea to crack down on the arms flooding poor countries.
But he continues to hope Amnesty International's 2002 edition of The Terror Trade Times -- released yesterday -- will reach the heads of state meeting in Kananaskis this week and motivate them to take action.
Magudu, representative of Amnesty International Mozambique, said he wants G-8 leaders to muster up the political will to stop individuals in wealthy nations from sending small arms to Africa.
LARGE IMPACT
"Small arms are small but their impact is large," Magudu said.
"People in Mozambique can't drive their cars at night -- it is like driving (to) your own grave."
Aside from stopping guns from leaving wealthy western countries, Magudu said G-8 leaders could reduce the arms trade by increasing employment opportunities in Africa.
"If for the last 30 years you lived with war and now you don't have employment then you will use arms to obtain what you need -- like bread," he said.
GUN NUMBERS INCREASING
The exact number of arms coursing through African nations is difficult to calculate but Magudu said it is increasing every year.
Canadians who want to help can contribute to Transforming Arms into Ploughshares.
Project volunteers exchange weapons for farm tools and then use the arms to create art that is sold to fund the project.
For more information, e-mail Nyararai Magudu at nyararai@hotmail.com
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