INACTION SADDENS ZAMBIA
ZAMBIA says it is sad that the Peace and Security Council has not developed modalities for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the African Union Master Roadmap of Practical steps to silence the guns in Africa.
This is despite the adoption of the Roadmap in January 2017.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joe Malanji has since called on the Peace and Security Council to develop the mechanisms as a matter of urgency.
Mr Malanji says the absence of mechanisms can compromise the full implementation of the Master Road Map to Practical Steps to Silence the Guns on the continent.
The Minister said that Zambia is committed to be part of the resolve to eliminate all manner of conflicts on the continent. He said that to eliminate all conflicts, Zambia believes there is need to remove all the drivers of conflict.
Mr. Malanji says Zambia has taken the effort to develop various preventative measures in a bid to curb the illicit arms proliferation, circulation and trafficking of arms.
Mr. Malanji was speaking yesterday during the 31st Ordinary session of the Assembly of the African Union which was discussing the implementation of the African Union Master roadmap of practical steps to silence the Guns in Africa by 2020.
He said that amongst many other initiatives being employed, Zambia has acquired and is using Pin Marking Machines in order to account for all firearms with extended capacity building.
Mr. Malanji said that Zambia has established institutions to enhance detection of illicit activities which lead to the proliferation of illicit arms. He said that such an institution is the Financial Intelligence Centre which in its responsibilities has the requirement to cooperate and relate to other regional and international stakeholders for the purpose of information sharing.
The Minister further stated that in observing the African Union Amnesty month of September, Government will among many other activities, burn surrendered weapons, a process which will not only be symbolic but a clear manifestation of fact that Africa is ready to silence the guns. - ZNBC