Debate: Silencing the Guns by 2020
The Briefing, Issue #30, Wednesday, February 5, 2020
Dear Readers,
The African Union is holding its 33rd’AUSummit at its headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia under the theme Silencing TheGuns: Creating Conducive Conditions For Africa’s Development. The Assembly meeting of Heads of State and Government will take place from 9-10 February 2020.
Silencing the Guns by 2020 is a flagship project of the African Unions’s Agenda 2063, and is the key initiative being undertaken by the AU to promote peace and stability on the continent, with the goal of ending all wars, civil conflicts, gender-based violence, and violent conflicts as well as preventing genocide in Africa.
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 of Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the Aspiration for a Peaceful and Secure Africa.
The AU has periodically held meetings and workshops on progress. It has also adopted the AU Master Roadmap of Practical Steps to Silence the Guns to address implementation.
For today’s newsletter, I would like to invite you to debate and share your views on this topic:
“ How can post-conflict countries reduce the risks of war relapse ?”
Feel free to comment directly here or send your views on (editor@regionweek.com).
“Silencing the Guns is at the nexus of peace and development. It is not just about guns, it is about what drives people to resort to guns. We need to address those underlying issues,”- Mrs. Aissatou Hayatou.
In 2019, I followed an open debate on this topic(Guns and peace in Africa), and many participants blame continued challenges on governance deficits, the global economic slowdown, commodity prices, high rates of unemployment, mismanagement of ethnic diversity, and competition over power and resources.
Do you share the same view?
Fabrice Iranzi,
Founding Editor, RegionWeek.com
IN THE HEADLINES
The African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX) denounces the jailing of four journalists by authorities in Burundi. Four journalists, Christine Kamikazi, Agnès Ndirubusa, Egide Harerimana, and Térence Mpozenzi all working with Iwacu media outlet, were on January 30, 2020, each sentenced to two and a half years in prison. IFEX, formerly International Freedom of Expression Exchange, is a global network of more than 119 independent non-governmental organizations that work at a local, national, regional, or international level to defend and promote freedom of expression as a human right
The Ambassador of Burundi to Uganda, Ms. Epiphanie Kabushemeye Ntamwana, has appealed to the Ugandan government to support her country’s upcoming electoral process. The ambassador made the remarks while meeting Uganda’s Minister of State for International Affairs, Mr. Henry Okello-Oryem, in Kampala on Wednesday, February 5, 2020. Ms. Kabushemeye briefed the Minister on the political developments in Burundi, notably, the schedule of elections of the next President, Legislature and Senate. The Ambassador appealed for Uganda’s political support as the country makes the democratic transition in its political leadership, which will be fully funded by the government of Burundi. Me Okello-Oryem thanked the government of Burundi for its commitment to honest democratic succession, a process that is fully owned and sponsored by Burundi itself. He assured the Ambassador that Uganda remains committed to supporting Burundi as it has always done. (Pmldaily)
INTERNATIONAL
Equatorial Guinea, has announced that it will donate 1.8 million euros to China to help it cope with the coronavirus epidemic that is currently raging on its territory, announced the government this Wednesday. Decided in the Council of Ministers, this donation is a mark of "support and solidarity with China", it was written in a press release published on its website. (RFI)
The Senate has acquitted President Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. This is the ending that was expected all along, but the way the Senate trial ended — with nearly every Republican declining to pursue new information about Trump's Ukraine activities — has raised alarms about the growth of presidential power and the refusal of Congress to stop it. Every Democrat voted to convict Trump, with Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah — the only Republican to vote for conviction — voting with them on abuse of power. Abuse of power: 48-52, Obstruction of Congress: 47-53 (Axios)
US health officials confirm 12th coronavirus case Wisconsin has confirmed that an individual has tested positive for coronavirus, the 12th case in the US. The Midwestern state's department of health services said the patient is an adult "with a history of travel to Beijing, China prior to becoming ill and was exposed to known cases while in China". The person, who was not identified, is "isolated at home" and doing well, according to a statement on Wednesday. The case was also confirmed by the CDC. The immediate health risk to the public remains low, officials said. (FT)
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