In a significant move towards achieving peace and security across the African continent, the African Union (AU) has declared September as Amnesty Month, emphasizing disarmament and the collective commitment to “Silencing the Gun.”
The initiative is part of the AU’s overarching goal to eliminate illicit firearms by 2030.
The Sierra Leone Commission on Arms and Ammunition (SLECAA), in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Action Network on Small Arms (SLANSA), is actively commemorating this Amnesty Month in alignment with the AU’s vision of a peaceful Africa. The AU, consisting of 55 member states, is dedicated to promoting peace, security, and development throughout the continent.
Amnesty Month serves as a crucial milestone in the AU’s ongoing efforts to promote lasting peace and security. Its establishment underscores the importance of disarmament, conflict prevention, and peacebuilding, urging nations, communities, and individuals to contribute actively to the goal of “Silencing the Gun by 2030.”
This year’s theme, “Building Peace, Securing Our Future,” resonates with the AU’s commitment to creating a continent where peace prevails, replacing conflict with prosperity and unity.
SLECAA and SLANSA are issuing a strong call to action, particularly to the youth, to engage in peace advocacy, conflict resolution, and the cultivation of a non-violent culture. Recognizing the pivotal role of youth as future custodians of peace, this appeal underscores their importance in shaping a harmonious future.
The Sierra Leone Commission on Arms and Ammunition, established by an Act of Parliament in 2010, is fully aligned with the AU’s Amnesty initiative. It is urging all unlicensed gun owners to either obtain licenses for their firearms or surrender them to the Commission for proper management.
It’s important to note that anyone found in possession of a firearm and ammunition without a valid license, or involved in the production and repair of firearms without authorization, could face severe penalties, including fines of up to ten thousand new Leones (NLe10,000) or imprisonment for a maximum term of five years, or both.
This announcement serves as a stark warning to unlicensed gun owners, emphasizing the seriousness of the AU’s commitment to achieving a gun-free and peaceful Africa by 2030.
