Bujumbura, Burundi- The 3rd edition of the Continental Dialogue on Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) Agenda officially commenced today in Bujumbura, Burundi, under the theme “Empowering African Youth for Peace: Education and Enhanced Coordination as a Catalyst for the Implementation of the Continental Youth, Peace and Security Agenda.

” The event, organized by the African Union Commission in collaboration with the Government of Burundi, brings together over 1,200 participants, including H.E. Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE, President of the Republic of Burundi and AU Champion on Youth, Peace, and Security.

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The two-day event, set to conclude tomorrow, aims to assess the progress made in implementing the YPS agenda, identify challenges, and explore strategies to empower African youth for peacebuilding and security efforts.

Session 01: Youth, Peace, and Security in Africa

The first day of the dialogue featured high-level discussions on “Accelerating the Implementation of the AU Youth, Peace and Security Agenda: Challenges and Opportunities at Continental, Regional and National Levels.”

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The panel discussion began with two keynote presentations:

  1. “AU Agenda on Youth, Peace, and Security” by the AUC/Y4P.
  2. “The Link Between the YPS Agenda and the Continental Silencing the Guns Agenda” by Mr. Ernest DOLO, Coordinator of the AU Silencing the Guns Agenda.

The session, moderated by an African Youth Ambassador for Peace (AYAP), aimed to highlight progress, challenges, and opportunities for accelerating the YPS agenda.

Panelists and Key Insights

  • Amb. Gervais ABAYEHO, Minister in Charge of Youth (Burundi):
    • Progress in Burundi:Amb. Abayeho highlighted strides made in advancing the YPS agenda in Burundi, including efforts to develop a National Action Plan (NAP). However, he noted challenges such as limited resources and coordination.
    • Opportunities: He emphasized the importance of leveraging regional partnerships to enhance implementation efforts.
  • Ms. Paska Alfred NYABOTH AKWOCH, Youth for Peace Africa (Y4P) Program Manager:
    • Mid-Year Review Updates: She provided insights into the mid-term review of the CFYPS decade implementation plan. She noted that successful implementation hinges on sustained political commitment, resource mobilization, and youth engagement.
  • Ms. Claudia PEKWOHASUNG MASAH, COMESA Youth Program Coordinator:
    • Regional Initiatives: Claudia shared examples of COMESA’s initiatives, including capacity-building workshops and youth-led peacebuilding projects. She underscored the critical role of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in supporting member states to implement the YPS agenda.
  • Mr. Yav Eddy MUZENGA, Adviser on YPS NAP, Office of the President – DRC:
    • Experiences in DRC: Yav highlighted the successes and challenges of launching and implementing the DRC’s NAP, emphasizing the need for multi-stakeholder collaboration and community-level engagement. He encouraged countries yet to start their NAPs to prioritize inclusivity and youth-led approaches.
  • Mr. Ariel Ornello Ines DJOMAKON, ECOWAS Youth Program Coordinator:
    • ECOWAS Support: Ariel outlined ECOWAS activities, including technical support for NAP development and youth-focused dialogues. He stressed the importance of addressing funding gaps and fostering regional solidarity.
  • Mr. Samuel Ogwal, IGAD Youth Envoy:
    • Youth Movements’ Role: Samuel highlighted how youth movements in the IGAD region are influencing policy processes and emphasized the importance of creating platforms for youth engagement at all levels.

Key Questions Discussed:

  1. What lessons can countries with NAPs share with those in the process of developing theirs?
  2. How can RECs and RMs actively support member states to advance the YPS agenda?
  3. What strategies can be employed to mainstream youth involvement in peacebuilding and conflict resolution efforts?

Looking Ahead

Tomorrow, the dialogue will focus on “Education for Peace in Africa,” with discussions on strategies for mainstreaming peace education into school curriculums. Participants will also engage in sessions exploring resource mobilization and enhanced coordination mechanisms for implementing the YPS agenda.

The closing session will feature the announcement of winners of the Innovation Week 2024 Competition and a reflection on the outcomes of the two-day dialogue.

The dialogue underscores the African Union’s commitment to empowering youth as key stakeholders in building a peaceful and secure continent. As reiterated by H.E. Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE in his opening remarks, “The youth are not only the future of Africa but also the present. Their active participation in shaping peace and security on the continent is essential to achieving sustainable development.”