The President of the Republic of Burundi enhances with his presence the meeting of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, in the presence of young people

On monday, april 25, 2022, the President of the Republic of Burundi His Excellency Mr. Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE held a meeting of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, for young people.

In his speech, the President of the Republic of Burundi indicated that young people are a living force that Africa needs so that its sons and daughters live peacefully, without any worry and in a well-being.

His Excellency Mr. Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE also said that young people have talents and strengths which, united, will propel all African people towards a prosperous Africa, based on inclusive growth and sustainable development, an integrated Africa, a state of law, good governance, respectful of human rights; an Africa endowed with a strong cultural identity and whose place in the concert of nations is appreciated properly.

For this, the Head of State said that the future of Africa is in the hands of its youth. However, this youth must be given the means to achieve the prospects to which it aspires. This was therefore the reason of holding this continental dialogue on youth, peace and security, which was organized in collaboration with the meeting of the Peace and Security Council that Burundi has the honor of chairing during this month of April. And that is why President Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE invited these friends, these young ambassadors of the African Union for peace, to share thoughts on issues related to peace, security and development, elements that are interdependent and intrinsically linked. Without peace and security development is impossible while sustainable development is anchored in peace and security.

The President took this opportunity to congratulate the Peace and Security Council of the African Union. This Council, in close collaboration with the Chairman of the Commission and the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, make tireless efforts, on a daily basis, on behalf of all the member States of the continental organization, by preventing, managing and by resolving the crises and conflicts that beset Africa and prevent it from developing. They constantly face multifaceted challenges, both endogenous, exogenous and transnational causes that provoke crises and violent conflicts.

Armed conflict, terrorism, violent extremism and unconstitutional changes of governments hamper development prospects across the continent and pose a threat to the sustainability of development gains.

President Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE addressed the Youth of Africa, wherever they are, in Africa or outside Africa. He reminded them that in addition to being easy prey for manipulation in armed conflicts and in the socio-political disputes that are tearing Africa apart, they are also the first victims. He appealed to their awareness and urged them to actively participate in the prevention, management and resolution of crises and conflicts, alongside the Peace and Security Council of the African Union. It is the full will of the continental organization which, meeting in Banjul, Gambia, during the 7^th ordinary session of the Conference of Heads of State, adopted the African Youth Charter which recognizes, in article 17, the important role of youth in promoting peace and security in Africa.

The President also recalled that the strength, intelligence and talents of young Africans, put to the benefit of Africa, constitute significant human capital for the achievement of Agenda 2063, particularly aspirations 4 and 6, to a peaceful and secure Africa powered by its young sons and daughters as well as Goal 16 of the United Nations Agenda 2030: “Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, ensure access for all to justice and establish effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels”.

 To conclude his remarks, the President urged the members of the Peace and Security Council to further strengthen African youth to make them sufficiently capable of actively contributing to peace, security and sustainable and inclusive development in Africa, in particular through the liaison of the African Union Agenda 2063 and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250, for a structurally and economically transformed Africa. And that can only happen by reversing the shameful trend of seeing desperate African young people indulging in narcotics and excessive alcohol consumption, and, worse, fueling the hotbeds of tension on the continent.

It should be noted that young Africans in general are satisfied with the place assigned to them with regard to peace, security and the sustainable and inclusive development of Africa. To deepen the reflection on them, the Young African Ambassadors for the Peace and Security Council of the African Union expressed their wish that Burundi be the permanent organizer of future sessions of the continental dialogue on Youth, Peace and Security.