MEDIA ADVISORY
Open Session on the Inaugural Launch of the Africa Amnesty Month for the Surrender and Collection of Illicit Weapons

Invitation to representatives of the media

What: The African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC), at its 716th Meeting, will hold an Open Session on the Inaugural Launch of the Africa Amnesty Month for the Surrender and Collection of Illicit Weapons.

When: Monday, 4 September from 10:00hrs - 12:00hrs
Where: African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Plenary Hall, Old Conference Hall
Who: The Session will be held at the ambassadorial level and will be open to all AU Member States, representatives of diplomatic missions in Ethiopia, development partners, academicians, civil society organizations, the media, think-tanks and other relevant stakeholders.
Why: The PSC Open Session will serve as a platform to launch the Africa Amnesty Month for the surrender and collection of illicit weapons and to sensitize Member States on their obligations to conduct annual voluntary disarmament initiatives pursuant to the Assembly decision of July 2017, declaring the month of September of each year, till 2020, as “Africa Amnesty Month” for the surrender and collection of illicit small arms and light weapons (SALW). Further, the Session aims to widely publicize the Africa Amnesty Month through African and international media, urge civil society and non-governmental organizations to play an active and supportive role during the Africa Amnesty Month and mobilize international assistance to support Member States in the design and implementation of national initiatives as part of the envisaged AU Silencing the Guns Plan of Action on SALW that will be launched later in the year.

Media inquiries:
Lulit Kebede; Peace and Security Department Tel.: 251911211183 Email: lulitk@africa‐union.org

Paschal Chem-Langhee; Peace and Security Department Tel. 251929487749
Email: Chem-LangheeP@africa-union.org

BACKGROUND: AFRICA AMNESTY MONTH

The 29th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union, held on 3-4 July 2017, in Addis Ababa, declared the month of September of each year, till 2020, as “Africa Amnesty Month” for the surrender and collection of illicit small arms and light weapons (SALW). The decision comes in follow up to the Council’s inaugural report to the Assembly on the implementation of the AU Master Roadmap for Practical Steps to Silence the Guns in Africa by year 2020 (AUMR). The report had noted that while the causes and factors driving violent conflict and crime on the continent have varied, the wide and devastating use of SALW has remained a common characteristic, thus warranting particular attention and a range of interventions to deal with what the report considered the tools and enablers of violence.

Among the measures recommended by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) and adopted by the Assembly is the voluntary surrender of illicit weapons in civilian possession during the Africa Amnesty Month, on the condition of anonymity and immunity from prosecution. The Assembly further called on Member States, Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs), civil society organizations, institutions/organizations and the media to widely publicize this initiative and promote adherence among communities and target groups.

For further information:
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I Email: DIC@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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