BUJUMBURA July 5th (ABP) – State Parties to the African Youth Charter have a duty to build the capacity of young people and youth organizations in peacebuilding, conflict prevention and resolution through the promotion of intercultural education, civic education, tolerance, human rights, democracy, mutual respect for cultural, ethnic and religious diversity, and the importance of dialogue, cooperation, responsibility, solidarity and international cooperation, according to article 17 of the said Charter in its section 1.
The same article continues to specify that those States must put in place mechanisms to develop among young people a culture of peace and tolerance that discourages them from participating in acts of violence, terrorism, xenophobia, gender-based and race discrimination, foreign invasion and the trafficking of arms and drugs; establish education for a culture of peace and dialogue in schools and training centers at all levels; and condemn by all possible means, armed conflicts as well as the participation, involvement, recruitment of young people in armed conflicts as well as the practice of sexual slavery against young people.
In the same vein, States Parties to the African Youth Charter have the duty to take all possible measures to protect the civilian population, including displaced young people and victims of armed conflict; to mobilize young people for the reconstruction of zones devastated by war to help refugees and victims of war and by promoting peace, reconciliation and reintegration; without forgetting to take appropriate measures aimed at promoting the physical and psychological rehabilitation as well as the social reintegration of young victims of war and armed conflict, by guaranteeing them access to education and the development of their capacities.
All in all, the States Parties to the African Youth Charter ensure the protection of young people against genocide ideology, it was specified in the same article, in its section 2.
It is worthy to recall that the African Youth Charter was adopted by the seventh ordinary session of the conference held on July 2, 2006 in Banjul (The Gambia). It was ratified and enacted by Head of State Evariste Ndayishimiye on January 9, 2023.