Continental Youth Consultation on delivering peace dividends through the implementation of the AfCFTA kicks off

Addis Ababa, October 3, 2023 (FBC) – Consultations on the meaningful engagement of the youth to advance democracy, human rights and governance in Africa have kicked off in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia as a pre-forum leading to the 12th High Level Dialogue.

It is noted that youth from across the continent will review existing modalities and propose recommendations that leverage and foster meaningful participation of young people in delivering peace dividends through the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The African Youth Charter underscores the importance of youth meaningful engagement in all the facets of the political and socio-economic development.

The consultations will explore the role of African youth in advancing actions aligned to the nexus between the economic development, democracy, governance and peace and security.

Amb Salah Hammad, Acting Head AGA-APSA Secretariat, at the African Union Commission, Department of Political Affairs, Peace, and Security observes that the youth discussions are timely particularly in the current challenging context of a wave of democratic governance reversals, military takeovers and Unconstitutional Changes of Government (UCGs) and in considering the critical role of the youth to drive Africa’s sustainable development agenda.

He stated, “the youth’s voices and perspectives are important to the African Union. Through hearing young people’s perspectives, we will get to listen, understand and act in their best interest. We can jointly work with youth to identify key roles and facilitate their meaningful participation and inclusion in democratic governance, peace and security. Inclusion is key as it provides an enabling environment for AfCFTA implementation, but youth also must also play their part for constructive engagement by developing and sharpening their skills through training to take advantage of opportunities that will be brought forth by the continental free trade agreement.”

AU press note release today indicated that AfCFTA Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade will address the specific constraints and barriers youth and women face when trading on the continent and create an environment that allows them to utilise the AfCFTA by accessing wider markets, improving their competitiveness, and participating in regional values chains.

Chido Mpemba, African Union Youth Envoy observes that the AfCFTA is landmark achievement for Africa and can make an immerse contribution for the socio-economic development as well as fosters unity, solidarity, collaboration among African countries and among Africans.

She added that while peace dividends are the benefits that arise from the reduction and prevention of conflicts on the continent, providing opportunities for the youth through unlocking the potential in the AfCFTA can also improve security, stability, governance, human rights, social cohesion and development outcomes.

The continental youth consultations will seek innovative tangible solutions and concrete actions to address the various challenges and obstacles that young people face in the quest for peace dividends and trade such as lack of information, access to finance, technology, infrastructure and the markets, lack of representation on leadership and decision-making bodies, lack of skills and capacity to compete fairly in the global markets.

To further explore this linkage of trade as an enabler of peace dividends, the youth consultations will focus on certain thematic areas such as unpacking the role of youth in democratic governance and socioeconomic development, youth at the center of the implementation of the AfCFTA to ensure peace dividends, creating access for youth to realize AfCFTA and Africa’s peace dividend, and Africa Talks.

AU confirmed that recommendations from the consultations will be considered at the High-Level Dialogue to influence policies and actions on the continent.