African youth urged to champion peace during electioneering period

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.

The three-day forum, organized 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 said Arigatou International’s long-standing investment in youth leadership and community mobilisation has made it a strategic partner in nurturing a generation capable of driving peaceful change across the continent.

Ms. Njoroge 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.

She said the programme seeks to reverse that trend by empowering youth to understand their rights, utilize existing legislations and actively participate in decision-making processes.

“We have laws that support youth participation, but implementation remains a challenge. We are working with young people so they can understand these laws, articulate their concerns, and ensure meaningful participation in shaping the future of their countries,” she said.

According to Ms. Njoroge, Africa’s youthful population should be recognised as a powerful force for peace rather than being exploited for political violence.

She noted that by equipping young people with advocacy, leadership, and civic education skills, they become better positioned to counter conflict and contribute to sustainable development.

“The youth are the majority in Africa. They should be among the decision-makers because they understand the issues affecting them and have the energy to transform their societies,” she said.

She challenged young people to utilize social media and other digital platforms responsibly to spread messages of peace, civic responsibility, and unity instead of misinformation and hate speech.

“We have social media, supportive leadership, and many opportunities. The challenge is ensuring young people have the conviction to use these spaces positively to address the issues impacting them,” she said.

She added that peacebuilding requires 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, said conflict has severely disrupted education, peacebuilding, and community development in her country, denying many young people opportunities to realize their potential.

“As someone who has lived through conflict, I know how it disrupts education, peace processes, and everyday life. Teachers flee, students leave for safety, and many communities lose hope,” she said.

Ms. Janet said the regional forum provided a valuable opportunity to learn from neighbouring countries that have navigated similar challenges and developed effective approaches to peacebuilding and civic education.

She noted that South Sudan, which is preparing for elections later this year, can benefit from increased investment in public awareness, education, and youth engagement to promote peaceful participation in the electoral process.

“There are many young people, especially in rural areas, who do not even know elections are coming. We need more civic education so they understand peace, governance, and the importance of participating responsibly,” she said.

Ms. Janet 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 the Arigatou International, SDGs Academy, said peace cannot thrive where political intolerance and violence are normalized.

Muturu urged young people to use social media effectively to spread messages of peace and counter narratives that encourage violence and division.

He further urged citizens to respect contrary opinions and resolve disagreements through dialogue instead of violence.

“We want to build communities where people tolerate one another despite different political beliefs. We can disagree and still remain brothers and sisters,” he said.

He acknowledged that peace advocates often encounter resistance from individuals who benefit from election-related chaos and political violence.

“There are people who profit from conflict and oppose peace initiatives because they lose when communities reject violence. Even so, we remain committed because peace is the future of our societies,” he said.

By Ian Chepkuto