Month of Amnesty: PLO Lumumba draws AU attention to violence in Cameroon, Africa

Peace crusader and Director of the Kenyan School of Laws, Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba has questioned the role the African Union is playing in resolving conflicts on the African continent.

“This month of September 2020 is month of amnesty under the call for Silencing the Guns. Where is the voice of AU?” The former Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission Director questioned.

“Who is calling Paul Biya, Alpha Conde, Emmerson Mnangagwa and Alassane Ouattarra among others to order? Fellow Africans let us speak out,” he urged.

PLO Lumumba, who is also a pan Africanist, remains a very vocal figure in Africa’s political landscape, as his speeches have contributed to making him a prominent figure over the years.

PLO Lumumba’s outing comes at a time when several African states are dealing with internal strife.

He too is not the first person to call out the abuses and violence in Cameroon’s North West and South West regions.

Africa Amnesty Month

Recognizing Africa’s need to work towards ending all wars, civil conflicts, gender-based violence, violent conflicts and preventing genocide, September of each year till 2020 was declared African Amnesty Month.

Among other requirements, it necessitates that persons who surrender their illegally owned weapons/arms shall not be subjected to disclosure humiliation, arrest or prosecution, and those who fail to surrender their illegally owned weapons/arms beyond the Africa Amnesty month, shall automatically be considered to be in violation of national laws and the Amnesty.

It also necessitates that all member states should adhere to and promote the month accordingly.
It is not known if armed men fighting in Cameroon’s North West and South West regions will heed the amnesty call.

Mimi Mefo Info