The November 2011 edition of AEFJN's Forum for Action is now online. It contains articles on the ethical responsibility of the Church on the climate issue, on the clean up of the Ogoniland oil spills, which will take decades, on the spread of Libyan arms in the Sahel, on the production of medicines in Africa and on the EU's attempt to force African countries to sign EPAs.
The national election campaign officially started the 28th October in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), exactly one month ahead of historic presidential and legislative elections, scheduled for November 28 2011. 41 humanitarian and human rights organizations, among them AEFJN, have expressed concern about the high political tension and deteriorating security situation. They have called upon all Congolese and international actors involved to take urgent measures to prevent electoral violence, better protect civilians and ensure credible, free and fair elections.
Amnesty for gun owners in South Africa
South Africa has begun a nationwide amnesty for gun owners in an attempt to reduce armed violence in the country.
From 11 January to 11 April anyone in possession of guns and ammunition will be able to hand them in at police stations.
Several IANSA members have joined a team that will track the progress of the amnesty and assist in ensuring transparency and accountability. Natalie Jaynes from Gun Free South Africa reports that campaigners are delighted to hear the Minister of Police saying that the government's vision is a South Africa free from guns, where only law enforcement officials carry arms. On 15 January, South African Police destroyed over 80,000 arms.
Gun control campaigners welcomed the melting of 80,611 guns by the South African Police Service on 15 January 2010. The weapons thrown into the furnace included guns recovered through the ongoing nationwide firearm amnesty, as well as obsolete police weapons and guns previously recovered by police from crime scenes. As the Police Minister said at the gun destruction, this action has saved at least one innocent life.
The nationwide firearms amnesty started on 11 January and will end 11 April.
“This is an important first step, but as the recent Angola football shooting showed, there are a lot of illegal guns in the Southern African region. Other countries in our sub-region should seek to match the target of guns melted today by South Africa, so that we can all enjoy a safer World Cup” said Joseph Dube, IANSA Africa Coordinator.
www.iansa.org/regions/safrica/SAamnesty2010.htm