Martin Endjala
Namibia will join other members of the African Union in the commemoration of Amnesty Month, and therefore has called on the public again to surrender all illegal and unwanted firearms, ammunition and related materials in their possession between the 1st and the 30th of September.
The Minister stressed that Government underscores its commitment to the AU Agenda 2063 aspiration silencing the guns and for a peaceful and secure Africa.
He highlighted that the Cabinet has endorsed the month of September as Amnesty Month, during which the public can surrender weapons, ammunitions and armaments without any fear of prosecution.
Last year, Namibia undertook a process led by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security to ensure its full implementation.
“Today, I have the honour to reiterate that the Government of the Republic of Namibia remains focused, resolute and continues with the implementation to the letter of the Decision of the 14th Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union on Silencing of Guns in Africa”, Kawana said on his statement dated 30th August.
On 6 December 2020, an Extraordinary Session of the African Union Assembly of the Heads of State and Government was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, where the AU recommitted itself to the implementation of the AU Master Roadmap of Practical Steps for Silencing of Guns in Africa by the Year 2020 through the extension of the African Amnesty.
It was agreed that Africa must seek to put an end to all wars, civil conflicts, gender-based violence,
violent conflicts, and genocide in line with the objectives of Agenda 2063.
Commissioner Josia Shikongo of the Namibian Police told Windhoek Observer today in an interview that members of the public who wish to surrender their unlicensed or unwanted firearms can approach their nearest police stations to go through a process the commissioner described as very simple and not time consuming.
During last year’s amnesty about 570 firearms were surrendered across the country, with about 24334 ammunition.
Shikongo also pointed out that in the same year, several unwanted related materials which include ammunitions and firearms were destroyed.
The highest number of firearms of 135 were surrendered in the Omusati Region with 2635 ammunition, with Khomas region coming in second with 111 firearms and 13481 ammunition.
