Engaging continental conversations on youth, women, peace, security, inclusive leadership and the African Youth Charter @20
The Centre for Research on Democracy and Development in Africa (CEREDDA) participated in the 5th Continental Dialogue on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) in Africa, held alongside the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Forum in Bujumbura, Burundi, from 10 to 12 August 2026.
The Continental Dialogue was convened under the theme:
“Water, Peace and Inclusive Leadership in Africa: institutionalising the strategic role of youth and women in conflict prevention, crisis management and the sustainable consolidation of peace through responsible resource governance.”
The Dialogue provided a continental platform to assess progress in implementing the Youth, Peace and Security and Women, Peace and Security agendas, while examining emerging challenges and opportunities affecting peacebuilding, governance and inclusive leadership across Africa.
According to the official programme, discussions addressed the relationship between water security, conflict and peacebuilding, the strategic role of youth and women in resource governance, and the contribution of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence to peace, security and inclusive development.
One of the major side events of the Dialogue was “The African Youth Charter at 20 – From Promise to Prosperity.”
The session formed part of four parallel thematic activities held on 11 August 2026. It was organised by the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), the African Union Youth Division and the Pan-African Youth Union (PYU).
The side event came at an important moment for Africa's youth agenda. In 2026, the African Youth Charter (AYC) marks its 20th anniversary. The anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on the Charter's implementation over the past two decades, identify persistent gaps and consider how its commitments can translate into meaningful opportunities, participation and empowerment for young Africans.
The broader AYC@20 process has included evidence-based consultations and assessments of how African Union Member States, Regional Economic Communities, youth institutions, civil society organisations and other stakeholders are implementing the Charter and related continental commitments.
The Bujumbura Dialogue underscored an increasingly important reality: Africa's peace and development challenges cannot be addressed without meaningful participation and leadership by young people and women.
The discussions connected peace and security with issues of responsible resource governance, climate and water-related risks, inclusive decision-making, digital transformation and youth participation.
The Dialogue concluded with the presentation of key findings from the parallel thematic sessions and the reading of the final communiqué of the 5th Edition of the Continental Dialogue on the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda and the Women, Peace and Security Forum.
For CEREDDA, the discussions in Bujumbura reinforce the importance of sustained research, policy engagement and dialogue capable of connecting continental commitments with realities at national and community levels.
As Africa moves forward with the implementation of Agenda 2063, the challenge is not simply to articulate ambitious commitments, but to strengthen the institutions, policies and partnerships required to translate those commitments into measurable outcomes for Africa's young population.
From promise to prosperity requires participation, accountability and action.
The Dialogue placed youth and women at the centre of discussions on conflict prevention, peacebuilding, resource governance and inclusive leadership across Africa.
The African Youth Charter @20 discussion highlighted the need to move from continental commitments towards effective implementation, meaningful participation and measurable outcomes for young Africans.
For CEREDDA, the Bujumbura discussions reinforce the value of sustained African-centred research, policy engagement and dialogue that connects continental commitments with national and community realities.