The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 648th meeting held on 16 January 2017, considered the Draft African Union Master Roadmap of Practical Steps to Silence the Guns in Africa by the Year 2020 and adopted the following decision

Council,

1. Commends the Government of the Republic of Zambia for hosting the Retreat of the PSC on Practical Steps to Silence the Guns in Africa by the Year 2020, that was held from 7 to 9 November 2016, in Lusaka Zambia, pursuant to the 50th OAU/AU Anniversary Solemn Declaration adopted by the Assembly of AU Heads of State and Government on 26 May 2013, in Addis Ababa, in which the Heads of State and Government pledged not to bequeath the burden of wars and violent conflicts to the next generation of Africans and pledged to end all wars in Africa by the year 2020. Council also expresses its appreciation to the Republic of Sierra Leone, the Chair of the Retreat, for its successful conduct;

2. Reiterates its deep concern over the persistence of the various scourges and the attendant conflicts and crises that continue to cause suffering and devastation in Africa;

3. Decides to formally adopt the African Union Master Roadmap of Practical Steps to Silence the Guns in Africa by the year 2020. Council further decides to submit the Master Roadmap to the AU Assembly of Heads of States and Government during its 28th Ordinary Session to be held from 30 to 31 January 2017, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for endorsement;

4. Calls on all Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution (RECs/RMs), as well as civil society organizations and the private sector, in collaboration with the AU Commission, to take all necessary measures to fully implement the Master Roadmap;

5. Stresses the importance of urgently taking the required steps and mobilizing necessary support from all concerned stakeholders, including, in particular the United Nations Security Council and other relevant Organs, in order to ensure effective follow-up and implementation of the Master Roadmap with a view to realizing the goal of a conflict-free Africa;

6. Agrees to submit regular progress reports to future ordinary sessions of the Assembly of the Union, on the status of implementation of the Master Roadmap.