AU Urges African States to Offer September Amnesty for Surrender of Illegal Arms
The African Union has designated September as 'Africa Amnesty Month' to encourage the voluntary surrender of illegal firearms. This initiative aims to reduce armed violence and support the bloc's goal of silencing guns across the continent by 2030.
Why it matters
Reducing the proliferation of illicit small arms is critical for improving regional security and stability in conflict-prone areas of Africa.
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — The African Union Peace and Security Council has called on member states to use September to encourage the voluntary surrender and collection of illegally held firearms and ammunition as part of efforts to reduce armed violence across the continent.
The council’s chairperson for September said Africa Amnesty Month should be marked through national and regional programmes that allow civilians to hand over illicit small arms, light weapons and related materials in accordance with domestic laws.
“Africa Amnesty Month is an important opportunity to mobilise collective action towards a peaceful, secure and conflict-free Africa,” the chairperson said in a statement dated September 2.
The annual initiative stems from a decision adopted by the Assembly of African Union Heads of State and Government in 2017. It supports the bloc’s goal of “silencing the guns” by 2030, a flagship programme under its Agenda 2063 development framework.
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