Silencing The Guns

Catalysed by the desire to build a better, safer future, the African Union (AU) launched the Silencing the Guns campaign in 2016. The campaign aimed to end violent conflicts, build resilience and ensure peace in the continent by 2020. However, this campaign has not gone according to plan since various violent conflicts still permeate the continent. The timeframe laid out for the mission to silence guns has passed, and four years after, violent conflicts are still witnessed in numerous parts of the continent, such as Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger, Mali, Nigeria and a host of other African countries. According to the roadmap set out for the Silencing the Guns mission, the programme aimed to tackle political, social, economic, environmental and legal challenges that motivate violent conflicts on the continent through a collaborative approach between relevant stakeholders such as regional economic communities, regional organisations, national governments and the AU itself.

Yet, the way of this lofty ambition is marred by challenges that plague both the AU and the African continent. Some of these challenges are political and economic, while others lie in the coordinability of the Union. The Silencing the Guns campaign represents a commendable step towards continental peace. Many factors have hindered its effectiveness, casting a shadow over its ultimate success. One of the foremost deficiencies of the campaign lies in its implementation. Despite the AU’s fervent declarations and high-level commitments, translating rhetoric into concrete action has proven formidable. The lack of robust enforcement mechanisms and clear timelines have allowed member states to evade their obligations with impunity.

The roots of violent conflicts in Africa run deep. Political instability, economic inequality, and social fragmentation are some of the areas that the campaign roadmap strives to address. Silencing the Guns has struggled to address these underlying structural issues comprehensively, opting instead for superficial solutions that fail to tackle the root causes of conflict. Without addressing these systemic challenges, the Silencing the Guns campaign risks merely skimming the surface of a much deeper problem, perpetuating a cycle of violence that threatens to undermine its essence. Experts watching the campaign argue it is ambitious and needs to be closer to the grassroots to cause change. Another area for improvement lies in the lack of inclusivity within the campaign’s framework. While purportedly aimed at promoting peace and security for all Africans, “Silencing the Guns” has often been led by political elites, sidelining the voices of marginalised communities, who bear the brunt of conflict’s devastation. The campaign risks alienating those most affected by violence by neglecting grassroots stakeholders, thereby diminishing its legitimacy and effectiveness.

The AU’s reliance on top-down, state-centric approaches to peacebuilding is shortsighted, overlooking the crucial role of local actors and civil society in fostering sustainable peace. The AU shares no deep connections with the happenings in its member states. To effectively carry out the Silencing the Guns campaign, the Union must improve its visibility in all parts of the continent. By constantly prioritising diplomatic negotiations between governments over grassroots initiatives and community-led peacebuilding efforts, “Silencing the Guns” risks overlooking the invaluable contributions of those at the grassroots level who are often best positioned to resolve conflicts and build lasting peace. The “Silencing the Guns” campaign represents a laudable effort to address Africa’s longstanding conflicts, but its deficiencies loom large, threatening to undermine its potential impact. To silence the guns and pave the way for a peaceful and prosperous Africa, the campaign must address its shortcomings head-on, fostering greater inclusivity, prioritising comprehensive peacebuilding strategies, and empowering local actors to take ownership of the peace process. Only then can conflict be replaced by the peace and progress that Africa desperately deserves.