Society Under Siege, Volume One

The document outlines a global analysis of light weapons proliferation, emphasizing the role of black markets, the persistence of government supply post-Cold War, and the link between small arms demand and internal conflict in Africa. It specifically highlights how ineffectual disarmament during peacekeeping operations has increased the availability of second-hand stockpiles.

• The proliferation of light weapons is driven by several global factors, including the dynamics of the free and black markets, structural breakdowns, political transitions, and the emergence of ethnic and religious identities.
• Despite a general decrease in the international trade of major conventional weapons following the Cold War, the trade in light weapons has not seen a similar reduction, as governments continue to supply them to manage regional transitions and seek international security.
• In Africa, the demand for small arms is linked to current internal conflicts, while the supply is bolstered by second-hand stockpiles resulting from failed disarmament efforts during peacekeeping missions.

APA

Gamba, V., Meek, S., & Potgieter, J. (1997). Society Under Siege, Volume One. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.org/research/books/society-under-siege-volume-one.-crime-violence-and-illegal-weapons-v-gamba-s-meek-j-potgieter-eds

Chicago

Gamba, Virginia, Sarah Meek, and Jakkie Potgieter. Society Under Siege, Volume One. Institute for Security Studies, 1997. https://issafrica.org/research/books/society-under-siege-volume-one.-crime-violence-and-illegal-weapons-v-gamba-s-meek-j-potgieter-eds.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Gamba |first1=Virginia |last2=Meek |first2=Sarah |last3=Potgieter |first3=Jakkie |title=Society Under Siege, Volume One |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=September 1997 |url=https://issafrica.org/research/books/society-under-siege-volume-one.-crime-violence-and-illegal-weapons-v-gamba-s-meek-j-potgieter-eds |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{gamba1997society, author = {Gamba, Virginia and Meek, Sarah and Potgieter, Jakkie}, title = {{Society Under Siege, Volume One}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {1997}, month = sep, url = {https://issafrica.org/research/books/society-under-siege-volume-one.-crime-violence-and-illegal-weapons-v-gamba-s-meek-j-potgieter-eds}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }