The African Union launched its “Silencing the Guns” campaign in Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR), with a symbolic destruction of illicit weapons collected from civilians. The event, attended by high-level officials, aimed to raise awareness about the importance of voluntary disarmament for achieving peace and development.

Churchill Ewumbue-Monono, Chairperson of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, encouraged civilians to surrender their weapons, emphasizing the link between disarmament, peace, and development. September has been declared amnesty month to encourage this effort.

The CAR is currently undergoing a gradual process of voluntary disarmament, with over 500 individuals in Kouango, a town in southern CAR, surrendering their weapons. These individuals will now undergo training to join the CAR armed forces.