25/05/2026
On African Union Day, we celebrate a continent united in its vision, but this vision cannot be fully realized without the inclusion of its youth.
The UN Security Council Resolution 2250 is not just a policy document; it is a mandate to shift from viewing young Africans as the victims or perpetrators of conflict, to recognizing them as vital architects of peace.
Empowering Africa's Youth for Peace: African Union Day is a time to reflect on our continent's journey toward unity, development, and stability. Yet, as we look to the future, we must address the glaring reality of our peace and security landscape. For too long, the narrative surrounding African youth has been trapped between two extremes; either they are painted as vulnerable victims of instability, or they are stigmatized as perpetrators of violence. It is time to shatter these myths.
The true story of Africa’s youth is one of resilience, grassroots diplomacy, and innovation. From mediating local disputes in conflict-affected regions to utilizing digital platforms to track and prevent election violence, young people are already actively building peace.
However, to scale these efforts, we must bridge the gap between grassroots action and high-level policy.This is exactly why UN Security Council Resolution 2250, adopted in 2015, remains so critical. It provides a foundational framework built on five pillars: Participation, Protection, Prevention, Partnerships, and Disengagement and Reintegration. It demands that young people have a seat at the table where decisions about their lives and futures are made.
On African Union Day, we must ask ourselves: are we merely celebrating the youth, or are we actively integrating them into our security architecture?
In my view, the involvement of youth in peace and security is not an act of benevolence; it is a strategic necessity. Young people possess a deep, localized understanding of their communities, making them uniquely positioned to identify early warning signs of conflict and counter violent extremism.
However, their participation is often hindered by systemic barriers, lack of funding, and tokenism—where youth are invited to speak at conferences but excluded from actual policy formulation.
To truly honor the spirit of the African Union, governments and regional bodies must take bold, actionable steps:
1. Domesticate the Policy: Member states must fully integrate UN Security Council Resolution 2250 and the AU Continental Framework on Youth, Peace and Security into national laws and Action Plans Reflection on Youth, Peace and Security in Africa.
2. Commit Resources: Peacebuilding requires funding. We must invest heavily in youth-led civil society organizations and peace initiatives.
3. Institutionalise Representation: Young people must be integrated into official national security councils, peace committees, and mediation teams.
Africa's demographic dividend is one of our greatest assets. If we are to achieve a conflict-free continent, we cannot afford to leave out the demographic that makes up the majority of our population. True security will never be imposed from the top-down alone; it must be cultivated from the grassroots up.
Let us use this African Union Day to transition from rhetoric to reality. Let us give the youth the resources, the policies, and the trust they need to silence the guns and build a long lasting, prosperous peace.
Thank you.
Ambassador Frank Asante
Special Envoy-Africa
( Director in Charge of Strategic Partnership and Diplomatic Conference)
International Youth Network for United Nation Security Council Resolution 2250.
