THEME: SILENCING THE GUNS: CREATING CONDUCIVE CONDITIONS FOR AFRICA’S DEVELOPMENT
SUBMISSION DATES: 16 SEPTEMBER TO 20 OCTOBER, 2019
Peace and stability are key ingredients for any nation to achieve its social and developmental goals. When there is peaceful coexistence between the citizens of a nation, and between a nation and its neighbours, the opportunities for social, cultural and economic interaction and integration increase.
In May 2013 during the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Organization of African Unity/ African Union (OAU/AU), African leaders made a Solemn Declaration and pledged not to bequeath the burden of wars to the next generation of Africans and undertook to end all wars in Africa by the year 2020. In January 2017, African Heads of State and Government endorsed the African Union Master Roadmap of Practical Steps for Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2020 in support for Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the Aspiration for a Peaceful and Secure Africa. The roadmap is premised on the principle that Africa should assertively assume total responsibility for its destiny by fostering lasting peace and stability by implementing effective interventions on conflict prevention, management and resolution and post-conflict reconstruction and development which contribute to building the conducive environment for sustainable economic growth and development and the prosperity and the well-being of African Citizens.
The Agenda 2063 Flagship project, Silencing the Guns by 2020, is the key initiative being undertaken to promote peace and stability on the continent with the goal of ending all wars, civil conflicts, gender based violence and violent conflicts and preventing genocide in Africa.
Supporting the Silencing the Guns project are key bodies such as the AU Peace and Security Council, the Panel of the Wise, the African Standby Force (ASF) as well as tools such as The African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), the Continental Early Warning System (CEWS), and the AU Peace Fund.
The declaration of the month of September of each year until the year 2020 as Africa Amnesty Month is critical in the goals to ensure peace by encouraging citizens to surrender illegally owned weapons/arms.
AU treaties to reinforce the goal for peace and security on the continent are fundamental in ensuring the prevention of conflict and preservation of peace. They include the Convention for the Elimination of Mercenarism in Africa, the Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism, the AU Non-Agresssion and Common Defence Pact and the African Charter on Maritime Security, Safety and Development.
Monitoring progress towards peace is supported by the African Human Security Index (AHSI).
Since it was launched in 2002, the AU has registered progress in reducing the number of conflicts on the continent. These achievements are a result of the efforts deployed by the Member States of the AU in promoting peace, security, stability and development to all African citizens by facilitating dialogue-centered conflict prevention and mediation, as well as peace building efforts in Member States emerging from violent conflicts, specifically the strengthening of national infrastructures for peace.
In addition AU deploys troops to protect citizens in conflict areas to maintain peace and bring stability to the continent.
However, achieving the goal of peace and security requires African states and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to not only strengthen their accountability mechanisms, but to also ensure that women an youth are actively involved youth and women in promoting peace and stability and in addressing the problems of proliferation, and the use and movement of illegal weapons and illicit goods.
Furthermore, ensuring Africa takes the lead in financing its own peace initiatives is critical in furtherance of achieving Africa’s development plan under Agenda 2063. On 17 November 2018, the African Union launched the AU Peace Fund which aims to make Africa self-sufficient in the promotion of peace, stability and good governance. The goal is to endow the fund with up to US$400 million by the year 2021. In July 2019 at the Niamey Summit, The Chairperson of the Commission Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, announced that US$120 million out of the expected US$400 million had already been received.
THE THEME OF THE YEAR 2020
In July 2019, at the 35th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council, the Council adopted the Theme of “Silencing the Guns: Creating Conducive Conditions for Africa’s Development” as the theme of the year 2020.
This decision was in recognition of the fact that conflict and instability are still serious challenges across the continent and their resultant impact adversely affects development, perpetuates poverty, reduces the incentives to invest and the capacities for economic growth and the overall achievement of the objectives of Agenda 2063. The Council underscored the nexus between good governance, peace, stability and development and that these concepts are thoroughly intertwined and may not be considered exclusive of each other.
Watch the Documentary on Silencing the Guns here
THE AU ECHO
The AU ECHO provides a platform for the 55 Member States of the African Union, African citizens and African institutions to profile the successes registered in Africa’s development agenda, and to impart knowledge and share experiences on African-led initiatives. It is published annually the Directorate of Information and Communication (DIC) of the African Union with a focus on the AU’s Theme of the Year.
The scope of the 2020 edition of the AU ECHO calls for submission of evidence based articles on the progress that has been achieved as well as innovative initiatives that are being undertaken at institutional, national and continental level, with regard to promoting the implementation and operationalization of African Union’s peace and security agenda as defined by its legal and policy frameworks and key initiatives such as the Agenda 2063 Silencing the Guns Flagship Project.
Previous editions of the AU ECHO can be viewed here
SUBMISSIONS
Contributions are being sought from all AU organs, Regional Economic Communities, Member States, academia, think tanks, civil society organisations, women’s organizations, youth organisations and the wider public.
The editor reserves the right to reject papers deemed to be inconsistent with the guidelines outlined in this call for papers.
Languages: Articles for publication may be submitted in English or French.
Word count: Not more than 2000 words per article.
Illustrations: Photographs and other illustrations that enhance the article are welcome, although these must be original to the author and/or under a creative commons license. Photo captions must be provided
All article submissions must contain the full name and contact of the sender, his/her organisation and job title (if applicable).
Send your manuscript to the Managing Editor MusabayanaW@africa-union.org with a copy to DIC@africa-union.org and Sehenemariamh@africa-union.org
DISTRIBUTION
The AU ECHO will be distributed to Heads of State and Government of the African Union and other delegates as well as to offices of the African Union. Soft copies will be posted online on www.au.int
IMPORTANT DATES
Manuscript submission deadline 20 October 2019.
Publication: January / February 2020
