SEPTEMBER IS AFRICA AMNESTY MONTH
The month of September, of each year till 2020, was declared as
“Africa Amnesty Month” for the surrender and collection of illegally owned weapons/arms.
The scourge of illegal weapons / arms, their illicit proliferation and use in various parts of Africa, cause countless deaths, untold suffering, population displacement, disruption of livelihoods, destruction of infrastructure and disruption of economic activities, which all combine to undermine efforts to realise the goal of creating a conflict-free, integrated and prosperous Africa, as envisioned in Agenda 2063
What does Amnesty mean:
- Persons who surrender their illegally owned weapons/arms shall not be subjected to disclosure humiliation, arrest or prosecution;
- Persons who fail to surrender their illegally owned weapons/arms beyond the Africa Amnesty month, shall automatically be considered to be in violation of national laws and the Amnesty and shall therefore be prosecuted according to the national laws of the Member States;
- All Member States, RECs/RMs as well as civil society organizations shall give wide publicity, through all media networks, to the Africa Amnesty Month within their territories and regions; and
- Member States will adhere to and promote the Africa Amnesty Month, September each year, and mobilise their citizens to actively participate in the efforts to silence the guns.
AGENDA 2063
ASPIRATION 4
A Peaceful & Secure Africa
SILENCING THE GUNS BY 2020
Africa needs to work towards ending all wars, civil conflicts, gender-based violence, violent conflicts and preventing genocide
Find out more about the decision on Africa Amnesty Month here
Learn more about AU Treaties on Peace & Security here
