Addis Ababa, 13 September 2022 (TDI): The inaugural meeting of the Operational Technical Committee of the AU-EU-UN Tripartite Project on the AU Compliance Framework took place virtually.
Director Conflict Management Directorate, Sarjoh Bah lauded the initiative as demonstrating the growing partnership between the three institutions. It is an important opportunity to scale up and consolidate the AU’s compliance instruments for Peace Support Operations.
It is part of the African Union’s broader efforts toward the Silencing Guns initiative in Africa.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Operational Technical Committee of the #AU–#EU–#UN Tripartite Project on the AU Compliance Framework, Director @SarjohBah3 lauded the initiative as a demonstration of the growing partnership between the three institutions and… 1/2
— African Union Political Affairs Peace and Security (@AUC_PAPS) September 13, 2022
Africa Amnesty Month 2022
In 2017, the African Union (AU) proclaimed September of each year as “Africa Amnesty Month for the surrender and collection of illicit small arms and light weapons” (SALW). It aimed to encourage widespread support for efforts to stop the smuggling of SALW as well as advance the AU’s “Silence the Guns in Africa” by 2030 initiative.
The AU has urged its Member States to continue with “Silencing the Guns” initiatives throughout the year to sustain any momentum gained during September. This year, the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) plans to support amnesty activities in Liberia, Tanzania, and Togo.
During amnesty month, people who voluntarily surrender their illicit weapons and ammunition are not arrested or prosecuted. But those who fail to surrender such weapons after the month elapses if caught will likely be prosecuted in line with national laws.
The first mission of the month took place in Togo and was planned to take place from 5 to 6 September. From 8 to 9 September, the AU’s Peace and Security Council PSC scheduled its second field mission in Niger.
Moreover, on 12 September, Council considered and adopted the draft provisional program of work for the month of October 2022. On the same day, the PSC Committee of Experts met in preparation for the 7th Informal Joint Meeting and the 16th Annual Joint Consultative Meeting of the PSC and UN Security Council (UNSC).
While on 14 September Council will convene the first substantive session of the month. It will be an inaugural annual consultative meeting between the PSC and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).
