ECOWAS, AU convene stakeholders to advance youth, peace and security agenda

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union Commission (AUC) and the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) have convened a regional consultation in Accra to assess progress in implementing Africa’s Youth, Peace and Security Framework.

The two-day consultation, held from October 26 to 27, focused on the implementation of the Continental Framework on Youth, Peace and Security (CFYPS) and its 10-year implementation plan.

The meeting brought together stakeholders to assess progress at continental, regional and national levels, identify implementation gaps and challenges, and document good practices.

It also sought to develop evidence-based recommendations to strengthen the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda through 2029 and beyond.

The initiative received technical and financial support from Germany, the European Union and Denmark through two projects implemented by the German development agency GIZ: Support to the African Union for Promoting Peace, Security and Governance (AUPSG) in Africa and the EU Support to ECOWAS in Peace, Security and Governance (EPSG).

ECOWAS and its partners emphasised the need to recognise young people not only as victims of conflict but also as essential partners in preventing violence, building resilience and sustaining peace across West Africa and the continent.