Conflicts in Africa are one of the biggest impediments to the
continent reaching its full potential. It leads to the loss of lives,
displaces families, creates conditions for instability, human rights
violations and undermines development. Sadly, the continent continues to
be plagued by conflict in a number of countries.
This
year South Africa will assume the Chair of the African Union and will
use its tenure to intensify efforts to establish peace and stability in
Africa. The AU approved theme for 2020 is ‘Silencing the Guns: Creating
Conducive Conditions for Africa’s Development’.
The
initiative, adopted by the African Union during the organisation’s 50th
anniversary celebration in 2013, aims to make peace in Africa a reality.
It proposes peaceful resolution to rid the continent of wars, violent
conflicts and human rights violations.
Just and equitable
A
stable and peaceful Africa is the only way to ensure the prosperity of
the continent. South Africa shares the vision of a peaceful and
prosperous continent, which contributes to a world that is just and
equitable. A world that will collectively continue to sharpen peaceful
intervention of resolving conflicts.
While South Africa
will work together with other African nations across the continent to
drive this initiative, we are also advancing the removal of illegal and
unwanted weapons at home through a firearm amnesty that allows citizens
to surrender these guns without prosecution.
The Minister of Police Bheki Cele has declared a firearm amnesty until May 31 in a bid to create safer communities.
The
amnesty applies to people who are in possession of illegal firearms or
ammunition and who voluntarily hand them in at any police station across
the country.
All firearms will undergo ballistic testing to ensure that they have not been used in the past in committing acts of crime.
All firearms will undergo ballistic testing to ensure that they have not been used in the past in committing acts of crime.
Since
the start of the amnesty period, 2,266 firearms have already been
surrendered and will be destroyed. With this act of amnesty, the country
will be safer with less guns in our midst.
Government
encourages the public who are illegally in possession of firearms and
ammunition to take advantage of the amnesty period and hand them over at
their nearest police station without fear of prosecution.
The use of guns is responsible for the senseless deaths of innocent lives both in South Africa and on the continent.
According to an Oxfam International report titled: The human cost of uncontrolled arms in Africa, there are an estimated 100 million uncontrolled small arms and light weapons in crisis zones in Africa
Furthermore,
the AK-47 assault rifle is regarded as one of the most dangerous
killing weapons in Africa according to Aïssatou Hayatou, operations
manager, at the African Union’s Silencing the Guns initiative.
Peaceful resolution
South
Africa will continue to build on the peaceful resolution of conflicts
on the continent, guided by the African Union’s aspirations of Agenda
2063. We will also emphasise the preventive approach in addressing
conflicts while assisting countries emerging from conflict from
relapsing.
Through these measures we are confident that
we can foster peace and stability on the continent which will drive the
social, economic and political rejuvenation of Africa. An integrated
and prosperous Africa that takes its place as a dynamic force in the
international arena is within our collective grasp.
Phumla Williams is the South African cabinet spokesperson.
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