Ethiopian Informer
ADDIS ABABA: November 27 (EI) – Representing about 70 percent of Ethiopia’s total population, the youth have been urged to take the lead in national, regional and continental initiatives that envisaged promoting peace and security.
This came during a two-day youth-themed meeting, which is underway at the headquarters of the African Union (AU) in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa under the theme “Youth for Peace Ethiopia: Cross-Regional Dialogue and Experience Sharing Workshop.”
Speaking during the workshop, the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, Smail Chergui, emphasized the crucial need for Ethiopian youth to embrace peace-building initiatives as the East African country embarked on political reforms, democratization processes, as well as the holding of the country’s national elections in 2020.
“The youth in Ethiopia can and are encouraged to play a significant role in the overall reform process and the holding of credible and peaceful elections,” Chergui said, adding “harnessing the positive contributions of the youth and ensuring their active participation in the political discourse and decision-making processes will be key for the successful implementation of the reform agenda and other peacebuilding efforts.”
Noting that ongoing political reforms in the country are aimed at creating “a more accountable and transparent governance that is responsive to its citizens,” Chergui also stressed that “Ethiopia’s success in conducting a credible and peaceful election will be key to the successful implementation of the comprehensive reform agenda.”
“We must work together – old and young, to ensure the gains so far made are not reversed but rather consolidated,” the AU Commissioner stressed.
Noting recent developments in Ethiopia as “exemplary,” Chergui emphasized the need to promote peace and security in the Horn of Africa – which he said “continues to suffer from challenges related to weak governance and state institutions, porous borders, slowing economic growth, undermining our nation-building and peacebuilding efforts.”
Ethiopia’s Minister of Peace, Muferiat Kamil, also echoed Chergui’s remarks as she emphasized that the need to empower the youth’s ability to take the lead in national as well as regional peace building roles.
“Africa is a continent of youth, and almost 70 percent of the population in Ethiopia is young,” Kamil said, adding “this is a great opportunity and grace for Ethiopia and Africa.”
The peace minister also noted that the Ethiopian government “is working hard to enhance the participation of the youth in peace, nation building and development activities in the country.”
“The workshop will create opportunity to transfer and exchange experiences among the Ethiopian youth and their African brothers and sisters,” Kamil added.
AU Commission Youth Envoy, Aya Chebbi, also indicated that Ethiopia, with its very dynamic and young population, “we have an opportunity to promote the empowerment of youth as a catalyst for positive and peaceful change.”
“Young people play a positive role in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and eventually a key role to support the government’s peace and security architecture in Ethiopia,” Chebbi said.
