Beyond rhetoric: engaging Africa’s youth in democratic governance

Africa’s youth has an important role to play in fostering peace, development and democracy on the continent.

This brief presents an overview of the continental normative framework on youth engagement by the African Union (AU). It argues that there is a disconnect, both in theory and practice, between youth rights and freedoms on the African continent. The brief highlights the important roles of the AU, regional economic communities and member states in meaningfully engaging the youth in governance processes. It explores ways for the youth to assist the continent in achieving sustainable development, preventing human rights violations and harnessing Africa’s demographic dividend.

About the authors

Lauren Tracey joined ISS in April 2009 as a Sarah Meek Fellow. In 2011 she was appointed as a researcher in the Arms Management Programme. A year later, she joined the Governance, Crime and Justice Division of ISS. Her research focuses on issues of governance, particularly as they relate to youth and their democratic participation in Africa.

Edward Kahuthia is an advocate of the High Court of Kenya who recently worked for the African Governance Architecture Secretariat at the Department of Political Affairs of the AU Commission. He was previously an advisor on labour rights at the Kenya Human Rights Commission. His expertise and research interests are human rights and governance in Africa.