The African Union (AU) convened the third edition of its Continental Dialogue on Youth, Peace and Security in Bujumbura this week, bringing together over 800 youth leaders, government officials, and peace advocates from across the continent.
Held from December 12-13, 2024, the event was organized by HE Evariste Ndayishimiye, President of Burundi and the AU’s Champion for the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) Agenda. The dialogue, focused on “Strengthening the Capacities of African Youth for Peace,” sought to explore education and enhanced coordination as essential drivers for implementing the continental YPS agenda.
In his opening remarks, Ndayishimiye highlighted the central role of youth in promoting peace and stability across Africa. He commended efforts to integrate youth into peace processes, stressing that education and innovation are critical to addressing the socio-economic challenges that drive conflict. The Dialogue also aligned with the 4th edition of the Innovation Week competition, themed “Youth Innovation, Lever of Emergence,” which showcased the entrepreneurial talents of young Africans.
Key participants included AU officials, youth ambassadors from various regions, representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), and leaders from African Regional Economic Communities (RECs) like ECOWAS and IGAD. They discussed strategies to address pressing issues, such as high unemployment rates, governance challenges, and the vulnerability of youth to extremist groups and violence.
Calls for Action on National Action Plans
One of the major outcomes of the Dialogue was a call for African nations to expedite the development and implementation of National Action Plans (NAPs) focused on youth, peace, and security. Despite some progress, the dialogue noted that many countries had yet to implement these critical frameworks.
The Communiqué issued after the Dialogue emphasized the need for political commitment at the highest levels to advance the YPS agenda. It also recommended the creation of a National Focal Point for Youth, Peace, and Security in each AU member state to ensure effective coordination and implementation of these action plans.
Participants underscored the importance of integrating peace education into school curricula across Africa, as well as promoting youth-led initiatives to tackle conflict and build social cohesion. The dialogue called for greater investments in youth capacity building, mentoring, and education, particularly in mediation and conflict prevention skills.
Strengthening Partnerships and Resource Mobilization
The participants also stressed the importance of strengthening partnerships between governments, RECs, and civil society organizations to maximize resources for the YPS agenda. They urged AU member states and international partners to enhance financial support for youth-driven initiatives aimed at preventing conflict and promoting peace.
A key recommendation was the operationalization of the African Youth Fund, which would provide financial backing for youth-led peace initiatives across the continent.
In closing, Ndayishimiye expressed gratitude to all stakeholders for their contributions to the success of the event, highlighting the importance of continued collaboration to secure a peaceful and prosperous future for Africa’s youth. The final communiqué will be submitted to the African Union Peace and Security Council for review and adoption.
The 3rd Continental Dialogue on Youth, Peace and Security was a significant step forward in mobilizing African youth for peace building efforts, ensuring that their voices are central to shaping Africa’s future.
