Riyaz Patel
South Africa’s UN envoy has called on member states to demonstrate the political will to allow meaningful engagement with African youth in conflict prevention and peace-building.
Jerry Matjila was speaking as South Africa began its month-long tenure as president of the UN Security Council, presiding over a debate on peace and security in Africa, with a particular focus on the youth.
Matjila pointed out that conflict violates basic human rights – the rights to life, liberty, and security, and that the young people are sometimes forced into roles that make them more vulnerable such as: providers of sexual services, child soldiers, violent extremisms, arms smuggling and illicit trade in mineral resources.
He said Africa has the fastest growing population in the world, and it is important that the continent takes advantage of the demographic dividend from its youth bulge.
South Africa believes that we all need to double our efforts at the global, regional and national levels and that UN member states have the “responsibility to create enabling environments for the youth to participate fully and substantively in the development of their respective countries and peace processes.”
Matjila added: “We cannot continue to talk about peace without the full involvement of the youth and women. The youth should be represented in political negotiations, peace processes and transitional justice and reconstruction efforts.”
He said the AU is in the process of appointing ‘African Ambassadors for Peace,’ one from each of the five regions in Africa which will promote the actualisation of the five priorities of the Continental Framework on Youth Peace and Security.
“A stronger AU/UN partnership for peace, security and development remains critical to Silencing the Guns in the African continent.”
South Africa’s UN envoy said it’s important to provide the youth with training opportunities to take an active part in peacebuilding.
“With their youthful energy and capabilities, and the ability to adapt to new technological trends such as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, youths should be considered as equal partners in mediation, conflict prevention and resolution.”
African governments, non-government organisations and corporates have a role to play, said Matjila.
He further pointed out that in order to achieve sustainable conflict prevention and resolution, the UN Security Council, along with other regional stakeholders need to institute mechanisms to involve youth in the promotion of a culture of peace, tolerance and intercultural and interreligious dialogue.
“I would like to underscore the importance of bringing about a pragmatic shift in the concept of the role of youth in conflict, which transforms them from being victims or agents of violence to being agents of change and peace-building.”
They need to be seen as the valuable human capital that they are as this will help the continent to collectively achieve sustainable peace and Silence the Guns, Matjila said.
