Silencing the Guns Initiative | How to make the Pledge for Peace

The Silencing the Guns Initiative, launched by the African Union (AU), is an ambitious program aiming to achieve a conflict-free Africa by 2030. It’s a central pillar of the AU’s Agenda 2063, a broader vision for the continent’s development. Here’s a breakdown of its key aspects:

Goals:

End all wars and armed conflicts: This encompasses both interstate and intrastate conflicts plaguing various regions of Africa.
Prevent genocide and mass atrocities: The initiative seeks to address the root causes of violence and prevent situations that could escalate to genocide.
Eradicate gender-based violence: This includes addressing sexual violence in conflict zones and promoting the safety of women and girls

Strategies:

Addressing root causes: The initiative recognizes that conflicts often stem from poverty, inequality, and lack of good governance. It emphasizes tackling these underlying issues to prevent future violence.
Mediation and conflict resolution: The AU plays a crucial role in mediating conflicts and facilitating peace agreements between warring parties.
Disarmament and arms control: The initiative promotes efforts to reduce the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, which fuel many conflicts in Africa.
Promoting a culture of peace: This includes raising awareness about the negative consequences of violence and fostering dialogue and tolerance within communities.

Challenges:

Despite significant efforts, the initiative faces several challenges, including:

Complexities of conflicts: The causes of conflicts in Africa are often multifaceted and deeply entrenched, making it difficult to find lasting solutions.
Limited resources: The AU requires adequate financial and human resources to implement its programs effectively.
External interference: The involvement of external actors in conflicts can sometimes complicate peacebuilding efforts.

Overall, the Silencing the Guns Initiative represents a significant commitment by the African Union to achieving lasting peace and stability on the continent. While challenges remain, the initiative offers a comprehensive framework for addressing the root causes of conflict and promoting a more peaceful future for Africa.

SEVICS and other Civil Society Organizations in Africa partner with the African Union on Silencing the Guns Initiative

To realize its goals, the African Union partnered with civil society organizations across Africa. These organizations, including SEVICS led by Executive Director Michael Ukwuma, pledged their support for the Silencing the Guns Initiative, actively working to end conflict on the continent. You can find the video below:

Invitation to Make the Pledge

The vision for peace on the continent begins and ends with African unity. We are appealing to you and your organisation to be part of the movement to end all forms of violence and conflict in Africa by accepting our ask below:

1) Video-record your executive leader (on a hand-held device) making the ‘Pledge for Peace’ gesture (below), pledging your support of the African Union’s efforts to progress peace and unity through the Silencing the Guns initiative.
2) Please share your video across your organisation’s social media accounts with the following:

@STGinAfrica on Twitter | @STGinAfrica on Instagram | @STGinAfrica on Facebook
#MyPledgeforPeace #SilencingtheGuns

3) Nominate and tag four organizations to post their video, making the ‘Pledge for Peace’ gesture, taking on the pledge and asking other organizations in their network to do the same.