Resources / Campaigns

Africa Amnesty Month (September)



The Silencing the Guns in Africa agenda is a flagship initiative of the African Union’s (AU) Agenda 2063 that aspires to end all wars, conflict and gender-based violence, and to prevent genocide. In December 2020 in Johannesburg, the AU extended the Initiative until 2030.

Building on the Silencing the Guns initiative, the AU declared the month of September: “Africa Amnesty Month”. During Africa Amnesty Month, African States are strongly encouraged to develop ways in which civilians who possess illicit weapons can voluntarily turn them in during this month-long period without fear of disclosure of their identity, humiliation, arrest or prosecution from the authorities. The success of both of of these initiatives requires action by governments, civil society organizations, communities and individuals.

Detailed Weapons Destruction Resource: MOSAIC 05.50

According to the Weapons Destruction Modular Small-Arms Control Implementation Compendium (MOSAIC), “Weapons destroyed after being collected in a post-conflict setting can send a clear message that war is over and can bring hope to those who are seeking to re-build their lives. Weapons destroyed after being recovered in crime can never again find their way into the hands of criminals. Weapons destroyed after being identified as surplus to national requirements can result in reduced costs to the State associated with their long-term storage, management and security.”

Gun Destruction and the Sustainable Development Goals

Robust participation in gun destruction can help countries to better achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Particularly, SDG 16.4 which aims at significantly reducing illicit arms flows by 2030. Gun destruction can also help to achieve other SDGs. As noted in the UN Secretary-General’s disarmament agenda “Securing Our Common Future”, disarmament and the regulation of arms are essential to achieving the following goals:

      

 

 

Ways to get involved in Amnesty Month:

1) Contact your local police and local government officials and ask if they are aware of Amnesty Month. If they are not aware of it, provide them with information and encourage them to organise weapon collection points.

2) Promote awareness of weapon collection point locations in your community or region. Help build momentum toward the annual International Day of Peace (September 21st) by highlighting Amnesty Month as a peacebuilding instrument.

3) Engage the media. Send a press release to your local media outlets alerting them about Africa Amnesty Month and its objectives. And, if possible, give radio or television interviews to spread awareness of Africa Amnesty Month.

4) Use social media to spread awareness of Africa Amnesty Month.

5) Download the AU Agenda 2063 app on your phone, which provides an overview of the agenda’s goals and priorities and serves as a reference guide to officials, civil society organisations and civilians.

 

Briefing on Gun Amnesty Month Efforts in Kenya, Burkina Faso, the DRC, and CAR 2020
Africa Amnesty Month 2020: Key Points to Know & Share
The Africa We Want: Silencing the Guns Paper 2019
Sample Press Release Africa Amnesty Month for Members 2019
Silencing the Guns Briefing 2019
Africa Amnesty Month (September)

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