The proliferation of small arms remains a daunting challenge for the African continent; its persistence empowers rebel movements and national governments to foment conflict and commit mass human rights violations. Recognizing the supply and demand pressures for small arms, non-governmental organizations have resolved to act. Three years ago, Amnesty International, Oxfam and the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) united to launch the Control Arms Campaign. Last month, the Control Arms Campaign presented UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan the "Million Faces Petition," a visual petition by one million people from over 160 countries calling for tough global controls on the arms trade and an Arms Trade Treaty.