African Union summit opens as youth anger grows over a ‘bloc of old leaders’

By EVELYNE MUSAMBI and CHINEDU ASADU

Africa’s top regional body opened its annual summit on Saturday in Ethiopia to discuss the future of the continent of some 1.4 billion people, as the organization faces widespread discontent.

Set up to “promote the unity and solidarity of the African States,” analysts say the African Union faces a legitimacy crisis among youth for failing to meet their expectations. Meanwhile, several African countries battle military coups, disputed elections and protests inspired by economic hardship worsened by foreign aid cuts.

Africa has the youngest population in the world, with more than 400 million people aged 15 to 35 years old. But it is also home to several of the oldest and longest-serving leaders — a paradox that has contributed to an upsurge in coups.

With a young population set to double by 2050, it is the only rapidly growing region where its people are getting poorer. Many African youths, on social media, express how they view the