BUJUMBURA December 15th (ABP) – The President of the Republic of Burundi, Evariste Ndayishimiye opened Thursday, December 14, 2023 in Bujumbura, the ceremonies of the continental dialogue on the youth, peace and security agenda in East Africa, second editing.
That dialogue is coupled with the youth forum of the Addis Ababa framework agreement mechanism for peace, security and cooperation for the DRC and the region as well as the third edition of the innovation week, under the theme “Political dialogue on youth, peace and security”.
In his speech, the Head of State indicated that the theme of that dialogue is in line with the aspiration of Agenda 2063 which stipulates that Africa will live in peace and security. That theme is significant in the sense that young people on the African continent must remain engaged and involved in the consolidation of peace and security. He added that that is also in line with the spirit of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 on youth, peace and security which calls on people to harness the full potential of young people and their leadership as effective peace builders in all aspects of peacekeeping.
The President of the Republic of Burundi also recalled that the African continent is the youngest in the world, it has more than 400 million young people aged between 15 and 35, stressing that the latest United Nations estimate indicates that African youth represent 7% of the continent’s overall population and more than 40% of the active population. That youth recognized by the African Union’s 2063 agenda as being the demographic dividend of the continent which must be an actor in development in all its aspects because, he declared, youth is a lever for the creation of wealth. That is why, he said, Africa in general and Burundi in particular will make its youth an asset which determines the promising future of the African continent and the country.
President Ndayishimiye, to that end, indicated that young people are not only victims but also are sometimes manipulated and involved in tensions and conflicts to which they have nothing to do. It is therefore essential to take into account the voice of young people and their contributions in the process of stabilizing the security situation in their region, added the President of the Republic. He further added that young people need to be involved in programs and interventions particularly focused on social protection, peacebuilding and economic empowerment of young people because it is impossible to dissociate peace and development.
On that occasion, the Head of State congratulated the young people present in that dialogue for their talents because “science without conscience is only ruin of the soul”. He urged them to improve their living environment, to develop a sense of patriotism, self-esteem and to promote the customs of ancient Africans and their local products.
For his part, the minister responsible for youth, Gervais Abayeho, specified that “Holding that conference is an opportunity to share experiences and knowledge on good practices in terms of youth empowerment, citizen participation and contribution to the youth, peace and security agenda. He thanked the Head of State for the interest he shows in the realization and achievement of the objectives of the youth peace and security 2063 agenda on the African continent in general and Burundi in particular.