PAP President Urges Removal of Barriers to Youth Inclusion at AU Governance Consultations

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 10 February 2026

The Pan-African Parliament has called for the urgent removal of structural and social barriers limiting youth participation in Africa’s governance processes, as its President, Chief Fortune Zephania Charumbira, addressed high-level African Union consultations in Addis Ababa.

President Charumbira made the call during the 2026 First African Governance Architecture–Africa Peace and Security Architecture (AGA–APSA) Platform Meetings: the AU’s coordination forum for governance, democracy, peace, and security actors held on 9–10 February 2026 ahead of the 48th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council and the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

From Slogans to Practical Youth Inclusion

Intervening during the political segment of the AGA-APSA Platform under the theme “Youth Empowerment for Governance and Regional Integration,” President Charumbira stressed that existing participation frameworks must be re-examined to better reflect the lived realities, aspirations, and constraints facing young people across the continent.

He underscored the urgency of dismantling barriers that limit youth participation—particularly those affecting disadvantaged and marginalized groups and called for a multifaceted, practical approach anchored in accessibility, flexible programming, and inclusive design.

“It is time to end slogans and move into the practical aspect of youth inclusion. Youth are adults in training, and if they are to become effective leaders, their inclusion in decision-making processes must be effected now by removing barriers and overly stringent standards, and by recognizing that current formal structures may not be working,” President Charumbira stated.

He further emphasized that meaningful youth empowerment requires early and sustained involvement of young people in decision-making processes, as well as genuine recognition of their perspectives, innovation, and agency.

Bridging Generations Through Dialogue

Beyond access and representation, the PAP President highlighted the importance of structured intergenerational dialogue as a cornerstone of sustainable leadership development in Africa. He cautioned against framing youth inclusion as a zero-sum shift that sidelines older generations, arguing instead for continuity, mentorship, and knowledge transfer.

“The inclusion of youth does not automatically imply a divorce with the older generation. The transition must be smooth, and dialogue must be regular. The current crop of leaders are former youth, with knowledge and ideas that can help bridge generations, from youth to seniors,” he concluded.

Youth at the Centre of Africa’s Governance Future

The AGA-APSA Platform provides a critical space for coordination between governance, democracy, peace, and security actors within the African Union system. PAP’s intervention at the consultations reinforces the institution’s longstanding advocacy for people-centred governance, with youth empowerment positioned as a strategic imperative for democratic consolidation, regional integration, and long-term peace and stability on the continent.

As the African Union advances its governance and security agendas, the Pan-African Parliament’s call in Addis Ababa signals a clear message: youth inclusion must move beyond rhetoric and be embedded in practical, accessible, and intergenerational governance frameworks across Africa.