African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

In 2017, the Assembly of the Union adopted a strategic document known as the “AU Master Roadmap (AUMR) of Practical Steps to Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2020. Since the adoption of the Master Roadmap, the AU Peace & Security Council has led efforts in the implementation of the AUMR in collaborative efforts with AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms, the African Union Commission, UN, African institutions/organisations, CSOs and partners.

AU Master Road Map of Practical Steps to Silencing the Guns in Africa

The Assembly of the Union commends the Peace and Security Council (PSC) for its efforts in implementing decision Assembly/AU/Dec.645(XXIX), through, among others, the launching at its 716th meeting held on 4 September 2017, of the “Africa Amnesty Month” for the surrender and collection of illegally owned weapons/arms, in line with the African and international best practices; while acknowledging that observance of the African Amnesty Month is one of the major steps towards achieving the goal of silencing the guns in Africa.

Decision on the second report of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union on the implementation of the African Union Master Roadmap of Practical Steps to silencing the guns in Africa (Niamey, Niger, 4-5 July 2019)

Adopted by the United Nations Security Council at its 8473rd meeting, on 27 February 2019, Resolution 2457(2019) endorses Africa Union’s initiative to end violent conflicts in Africa and reaffirms the need to address the multidimensional nature of peace and security challenges facing African countries emerging from conflict, and emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive and integrated approach for peace building and sustaining peace, with a view to preventing them from relapsing into conflict.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 2457

In 2013, the Heads of State and Government adopted the 50th Anniversary Solemn Declaration at the culmination of commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of the OAU/AU through which African leaders made firm commitments across a broad range of strategic policy issues including: peace and security, democratic governance, Africa’s identity and Africa’s place in the world. The significance of the 50th Anniversary Solemn Declaration lay in highlighting the bold commitment of African leaders in tackling head-on the scourge of violent conflict in Africa.

Report on the Proposals on the Theme of the Year 2020

In the framework of the African Union’s “Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2020” initiative, countries of the African Union have committed to declare the month of September - until 2020 – “Africa Amnesty Month”. The United Nations stands ready to support the AU Commission (AUC) on this initiative in the year 2020. A one-year project is envisaged, starting December 2019, which prepares a selection of African countries for effective awareness-raising, training, weapons collection, and weapons-destruction activities.

African Union / United Nations Joint Support for September 2020 Africa Amnesty Month

The Orientation Concept Note outlines actions and activities towards the implementation of the AU Master Roadmap of Practical Steps to Silence the Guns in Africa, in line with decisions by the Peace and Security Council and the Assembly of the Union, including proposed strategic and specific activities to be implemented in the year 2020. The Orientation Concept Note was tabled before the AU Executive Council’s Thirty Sixth Ordinary Session on 06- 07 February 2020.

Summit Orientation Concept Note on the AU Theme of the Year 2020 - Silencing the Guns: creating conducive conditions for Africa’s Development

The present Report of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) is submitted pursuant to the decision Assembly/AU/Dec.630(XXVIII), adopted during the 28th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 30 – 31 January 2017, which endorsed the PSC-developed AU Master Roadmap of Practical Steps to Silence the Guns in Africa by the Year 2020 (AUMR). By this decision, the Assembly requested the PSC to submit a report on the status of the implementation of the AUMR to each ordinary session of the Assembly till December 2020, to enable the Assembly have a clear perspective on the implementation process and therefore provide guidance.

Fifth Report of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union on the implementation of the AU Master Roadmap of Practical Steps to Silence the Guns in Africa by the year 2020, for the period (February 2019 – February 2020)

The present Report of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) on its Activities and the State of Peace and Security in Africa is submitted to the Assembly of the Union pursuant to Article 7(q) of the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council. The Report covers the period from the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 10 to 11 February 2019, to the 33rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 9 to 10 February 2020. The Report covers the activities carried out by the PSC during the period under review and provides an overview of the state of peace and security on the Continent with respect to conflict and crisis situations, which are presented within their respective five AU geographic regions, namely Central Africa, Eastern Africa, Northern Africa, Southern Africa and Western Africa. The report further provides details on the status of the implementation of various key and thematic issues of continental scope within the framework of continuous implementation of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and the African Governance Architecture (AGA).

Report of the Peace and Security Council on its Activities and the State of Peace and Security in Africa, for the Period February 2019 - February 2020

In line with the Solemn Declaration on the 50th Anniversary of the Organization of African Unity/ African Union of the African Heads of State and Government, that was adopted at the meeting of the AU Assembly on 25 May 2013, and in order to substantially contribute to achieving the goals of the AU initiative on silencing the guns to realise a conflict-free Africa, the “APSA Roadmap 2016-2020” is a strategic document, which builds on the achievements and challenges resulting from the implementation of the previous APSA Roadmap (2011-2013). The Roadmap is the result of an inclusive and participatory process in¬volving different departments at the AUC and at the RECs/RMs. It details the AUC and RECs/RMs joint aims in five strategic priority areas: Conflict prevention (incl. early warning and preventive diplomacy), crisis/conflict man¬agement (incl. ASF and mediation), post-conflict reconstruction and peace building, strategic security issues (such as illegal flows of SALW, IEDs, WMD disarmament, counter-terrorism, illicit financial flows as well as transnational organised crime and cybercrime) and coordination and partnerships. In addition, cross-cutting issues are covered by the Roadmap.

APSA Roadmap 2016 - 2020

This report draws attention to the considerable work of the AU, particularly done through its special envoys and mediators, in working towards the prevention and resolution of conflict, and effective management of the continent’s peace and security challenges, in line with Vision 2020. It also highlights the many key considerations and strategies in place to move the continent toward a better future that is more secure and stable for all.

Arusha Fifth High-Level Retreat on the Promotion of Peace, Security and Stability in Africa held from 21 to 23 October 2014.

The newsletter focuses on the AU DDR initiatives, support to Member States, as well as Security Sector Reform, both of which are crucial elements of stabilization and recovery interventions.

Newsletter: Silencing the Guns by 2020: Practical Steps to DDR Interventions

Held within the context of the on-going implementation of Agenda 2063, as adopted by the AU policy organs, the Retreat constituted an additional step to give practical expression to the 50th Anniversary Solemn Declaration, adopted by the Assembly of the Union, in Addis Ababa, on 25 May 2013, in which the Heads of State and Government pledged not to bequeath the burden of conflicts to the next generation of Africans, committing themselves to end all wars in Africa by 2020. Against this backdrop, and building on the Retreat held in Arusha, Tanzania, from 21 to 23 October 2014, the Windhoek Retreat aimed at taking forward the vision and plans for “Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2020”. Participants acknowledged that the AU High-Level Retreats are central to promoting dialogue, sharing experiences and exchanging best practices that can contribute to African-specific narratives.

Windhoek Declaration at the 6th Annual Retreat of Special Envoys and Mediators on the Promotion of Peace and Security in Africa, 21–22 October 2015