Youth Silencing the Guns Campaign Launched

The virtual, official launch of the Youth Silencing the Guns’ campaign was held on Friday 24th July, 2020.  The on-line launching ceremony was attended and witnessed by different partners and collaborators of the African Union including representatives from

Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Regional Mechanisms (RMs). The focal person for youth for EASF, Mr. Jules Hoareau attended the ceremony.
 
In her remarks during the ceremony, the Youth Ambassador for Peace for East Africa, Ms. Emma Ng’ang’a pointed out the youth’s responsibility in pushing and advocating for peace on the continent. "We have the right to speak out on all issues affecting us, young people and we equally have the rights to be heard" said Ambassador Emma. The ceremony also saw the participation and presentations from, H.E. Prof Sarah Agbor, Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology, AUC, Chair of the Peace and Security Council, Burundi’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and African Union, Ms. Hanna Tetteh who is the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UN Office to the AU and Ms. Aya Chebbi, the African Union Chairperson’s Special Envoy on Youth.

The aim of the Youth Silencing the Guns’ campaign is to provide an avenue for the development and support of key actions that can be done by youth to fast-track the implementation of the STG Agenda in Africa. It is also aimed at the crucial roles and key activities that youths can play to spread the Silencing the Guns agenda and foster intergenerational co-leadership on silencing the guns and promotion of governance, peace, security and development.
 
It is expected that at the end of the campaign, elements on key actions to be undertaken by youth, will feed into the deliberations of the Extraordinary Session of Heads of State and Government on the theme of the year and eventually come up with recommendations to policy makers to advance the participation and contributions of youths in Silencing the Guns, with the overall aim of enhancing peace in Africa.

Following the launching of the Youth Silencing the Guns campaign, EASF would like to reiterate its full support and commitment in working with all stakeholders, in particular the Youth Ambassador for Peace in promoting this AU initiative.