Nairobi: Young people across Africa have been urged to harness democratic spaces, legal frameworks, and digital platforms to preach peace during electioneering periods in their countries. The call was made during the 7th Regional Youth in Action (YIA) Forum in Nairobi, where peace advocates, development partners, and youth leaders underscored the need to put young people at the forefront in peacebuilding efforts to prevent election-related violence and strengthen social cohesion.
According to Kenya News Agency, the three-day forum, organised by Arigatou International/End Child Poverty in partnership with Norwegian Church Aid and other stakeholders, brought together over 30 youth leaders from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Somalia, and South Sudan to strengthen their capacity in peacebuilding, civic engagement, and democratic participation. Speaking during the forum, Norwegian Church Aid Peacebuilding Coordinator for the Advocacy Programme Africa, Shirleen Njoroge, said the partnership with Arigatou International has been instrumental in mobilizing young people to promote social cohesion, resolve conflicts, and address challenges affecting young people in East Africa and the wider Sub-Saharan region.
Ms. Njoroge emphasized Arigatou International’s long-standing investment in youth leadership and community mobilisation, making it a strategic partner in nurturing a generation capable of driving peaceful change across the continent. She observed that although young people are frequently mobilized during election campaigns, they are often sidelined once elections are over despite constitutional and policy provisions that guarantee their participation in governance. The programme seeks to reverse that trend by empowering youth to understand their rights, utilise existing legislation, and actively participate in decision-making processes.
According to Ms. Njoroge, Africa’s youthful population should be recognised as a powerful force for peace rather than being exploited for political violence. By equipping young people with advocacy, leadership, and civic education skills, they become better positioned to counter conflict and contribute to sustainable development. She stressed the importance of young people in decision-making because they understand the issues affecting them and have the energy to transform their societies.
Ms. Njoroge also challenged young people to utilise social media and other digital platforms responsibly to spread messages of peace, civic responsibility, and unity instead of misinformation and hate speech. She highlighted the need for sustained investment in youth leadership, noting that empowered young people can become effective advocates for dialogue, accountability, and peaceful democratic participation.
South Sudanese youth advocate and Team Lead, Aspire Youth Connect, Janet Isaac Diko, shared her experiences with conflict and its impact on education, peacebuilding, and community development in her country. She stressed the importance of learning from neighbouring countries that have navigated similar challenges and developed effective approaches to peacebuilding and civic education. With elections approaching in South Sudan, she advocated for increased investment in public awareness, education, and youth engagement to promote peaceful participation in the electoral process.
Janet Isaac Diko urged young people to use technology and social media to share accurate information, encourage peaceful coexistence, and advocate for education, particularly for vulnerable groups. Joe Muturu, a peacebuilder and trainer from Arigatou International, SDGs Academy, emphasized that peace cannot thrive where political intolerance and violence are normalized. He called on young people to use social media effectively to spread messages of peace and counter narratives that encourage violence and division.
Muturu further urged citizens to respect contrary opinions and resolve disagreements through dialogue instead of violence. He acknowledged the challenges faced by peace advocates, who often encounter resistance from individuals benefiting from election-related chaos and political violence. Despite these challenges, he reaffirmed the commitment to peace as the future of societies.
