Small Arms in Southern Africa: Reflections on the Extent of the Problem and its Management Potential

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) calls for a 'micro-disarmament' agenda in Africa, asserting that small arms and light weapons are as deadly as weapons of mass destruction on the continent. The author argues that traditional arms control, often focused on nuclear deterrence and state-level strategy, has ignored the needs of African peoples and the root causes of violence. By aligning with the humanitarian ideals of the 1899 Hague Peace Conference, the document suggests that Southern Africa can lead the way in finding indigenous solutions to weapon proliferation and fostering a culture of peace through the integration of educational and development components.

• The author contends that for small arms and light weapons, disarmament and arms control initiatives must be integrated with educational and development components to create alternatives to violence in resolving human conflict.
• The document argues that the international community's historical focus on nuclear deterrence and weapons of mass destruction neglected the security needs of Africa and the developing world, failing to address the proliferation of conventional light weapons.
• The text asserts that in Africa, small arms and light weapons have proven to be as lethal as weapons of mass destruction, necessitating a 'micro-disarmament' agenda to ensure assertive international action.

APA

Gamba, V. (n.d.). Small Arms in Southern Africa: Reflections on the Extent of the Problem and its Management Potential. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.org/research/monographs/monograph-42-small-arms-in-southern-africa-reflections-on-the-extent-of-the-problem-and-its-management-potential-by-virginia-gamba

Chicago

Gamba, Virginia. Small Arms in Southern Africa: Reflections on the Extent of the Problem and its Management Potential. Institute for Security Studies, n.d. https://issafrica.org/research/monographs/monograph-42-small-arms-in-southern-africa-reflections-on-the-extent-of-the-problem-and-its-management-potential-by-virginia-gamba.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Gamba |first1=Virginia |title=Small Arms in Southern Africa: Reflections on the Extent of the Problem and its Management Potential |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |url=https://issafrica.org/research/monographs/monograph-42-small-arms-in-southern-africa-reflections-on-the-extent-of-the-problem-and-its-management-potential-by-virginia-gamba |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{gambandsmall, author = {Gamba, Virginia}, title = {{Small Arms in Southern Africa: Reflections on the Extent of the Problem and its Management Potential}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, url = {https://issafrica.org/research/monographs/monograph-42-small-arms-in-southern-africa-reflections-on-the-extent-of-the-problem-and-its-management-potential-by-virginia-gamba}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }