Engaging African Youth as Stakeholders in Post-Conflict Peacebuilding in East Africa

Peace and security remain essential prerequisites for sustainable development throughout Africa. Yet despite their making up more than 60% of the population of Africa, African youth are often viewed mainly as victims or perpetrators of conflict, rather than as key stakeholders in peacebuilding processes. This study examined the effectiveness of Engaging African Youth as Stakeholders in Post-Conflict Peacebuilding. The study answers the question: How can African youth be meaningfully engaged in peacebuilding, both as agents of change and as stakeholders in post-conflict societies? The study is based on case studies from East Africa. The study draws insights from the European Union’s youth peacebuilding strategies to see how regional and international partnerships influence results. The study focuses on how local communities, youth-led organizations, the East African Community, and the European Union work together to support effective peacebuilding initiatives. The study adopted a qualitative desktop research design. The study comprehensively reviews literature relevant to the research topic published between 2020 and 2026. The study reviewed 40 studies that were purposively selected from by governments, civil society organizations, regional bodies, and international partners in East Africa and some EU member states. Thematic analysis was used in analyzing the data and common patterns identified. The study findings are vital in informing policy makers and stakeholders on to community resilience, conflict prevention and resolution, social cohesion and post-conflict recovery. The study draws conclusions on collaboration between African institutions, youth organizations, the EAC and the EU that are key in enhancing the effectiveness of youth-led peacebuilding interventions.

African youth, Peacebuilding, Post-conflict, Stakeholders

1. Adan, M. Y., & Omeje, K. (2025). Engaging Somali Youth in Peacebuilding: Challenges and Opportunities. Journal of Somali Studies: Research on Somalia and the Greater Horn of African Countries, 12(3), 171-196. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. African Union, Peace and Security Department. (2025). AU, RECs/RMs, EU and ECOSOCC agree to strengthen coordination and the implementation of the APSA. https://www.peaceau.org/en/article/au-recs-rms-eu-and-ecosocc-agree-to-strengthen-coordination-and-the-implementation-of-the-apsa [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. African Union, Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department. (n.d.-a). Youth for Peace Africa Programme. Retrieved July 16, 2026, from https://www.aupaps.org/en/page/110-youth-for-peace-africa-programme [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. African Union, Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department. (n.d.-b). Governance and Conflict Prevention Directorate (GCPD). Retrieved July 16, 2026, from https://www.aupaps.org/en/page/106-governance-conflict-prevention [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. African Union. (2006). African Youth Charter. https://au.int/en/treaties/african-youth-charter [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Akinyetun, T. S., Bakare, K., & Adedini, S. O. (2023). Youth and peacebuilding: policy implications of conflict resolution in Africa. Journal of Contemporary Sociological Issues, 3(1), 68-88. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Akinyetun, T. S., Ebomoyi, I., & Iyase, A. O. (2026). The role of youth as non-state actors in peacebuilding efforts in Nigeria's conflict zones. In A Research Agenda for Critical Security Studies (pp. 53-69). Edward Elgar Publishing. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Al Jazeera. (2026, July 4). Thirty-two years on, young Rwandans reflect on progress, pain and hope. Al Jazeera English. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/4/thirty-two-years-on-young-rwandans-reflect-on-progress-pain-and-hope [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Ali, A. C., Yimam, S. M., Semmann, M., Ayele, A. A., & Biemann, C. (2024). Silenced voices: Exploring social media polarization and women's participation in peacebuilding in Ethiopia. arXiv preprint arXiv:2412.01549. https://arxiv.org/abs/2412.01549 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Arondo, F. O. (2025). Evaluating Selected Sports Programs in Peacebuilding Among the Youth in Kisumu County, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, ANU). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Awici, C. C. (2025). Youth participation in peacebuilding in post-conflict northern Uganda. Durban University of Technology. https://doi.org/10.51415/10321/5183 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Azeez, R., Soetan, O., Ajala, A. A., Abimbola, M., & Odubayo, W. A. (2025). Economic and human resource impacts of Rotary Club intervention on youth wellbeing in Africa: A diary study approach. European Journal of Economics and Management Sciences, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.65820/ejems-2vol1-issue1-2025 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Centro di Ateneo per i Diritti Umani, University of Padua. (2026). Italy's first National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security (2026–2029): Institutionalizing youth participation in peacebuilding and foreign policy. http://unipd-centrodirittiumani.it/en/topics/italys-first-national-action-plan-on-youth-peace-and-security-2026-2029-institutionalizing-youth-participation-in-peacebuilding-and-foreign-policy [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Chigudu, D. (2024). Women, Peace and Security agenda in Africa. PCD Journal, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.22146/pcd.v11i2.13217 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Chigudu, D. (2025a). Youth at the crossroads: Balancing contributions to conflict and peace amid high unemployment in Africa. Frontiers in Political Science, 7, 1599788. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpos.2025.1599788 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Chigudu, D. (2025b). Transformative role of youth-led movements in peacebuilding: Innovations and challenges in Sierra Leone. E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, 6(9), 1944–1959. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20256914 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Dawan Africa. (2026, July 6). Women leaders lead fight against extremism and GBV in Tana River. Dawan Africa. https://www.dawan.africa/news/women-leaders-lead-fight-against-extremism-and-gbv-in-tana-river [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Džuverović, N., & Milutinović, I.(2024) The Role of Youth in the Peacebuilding: A Case Study of the Organization Youth Initiative for Human Rights and the Forgotten Children of War Association. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. European External Action Service. (2026a, July 8). Appel à projets de l'Africa-Europe Youth Academy. https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/benin/appel-%C3%A0-projets-de-l%E2%80%99africa-europe-youth-academy_fr [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. European External Action Service. (2026b, June 17). EU statement – UN Security Council: Women, Peace and Security. https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/un-new-york/eu-statement-%E2%80%93-un-security-council-women-peace-and-security-peace-decided-women_en [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. European Youth Portal. (n.d.). EU Youth Stakeholders Group. Retrieved July 16, 2026, from https://youth.europa.eu/strategy/euyouthstrategygroup_en [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Global Campaign for Peace Education. (2026, July 1). Through youth lenses: Reflections on the impact of the Continental Framework for Youth, Peace and Security in Africa. https://www.peace-ed-campaign.org/through-youth-lenses-reflections-on-the-impact-of-the-continental-framework-for-youth-peace-and-security-in-africa/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Gordon, E., & Fosu, R. (2025). The gendered politics of the "local turn" in peacebuilding: Acholi traditional justice and gender in post-conflict Uganda. Disasters. https://doi.org/10.1111/disa.12677 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Interpeace. (2025). Youth, Peace and Security. https://www.interpeace.org/annual-report-2025/towards-2026-resilient-peace-in-an-era-of-heightened-instability/youth-peace-and-security/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Kabugi, P. (2025). The role of the Catholic Church in curbing youth unemployment, insecurity, and radicalisation in Kenya. National Defence University, Kenya. https://doi.org/10.64403/2ffzsw31 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Kasherwa, A. (2019). The role of youth organizations in peacebuilding in the African Great Lakes Region: A rough transition from local and non-governmental to the national and governmental peacebuilding efforts in Burundi and eastern DRC. African Security, 13(2), 145–168. https://doi.org/10.1080/17400201.2019.1688139 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. (2019). 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census, Volume I A. Nairobi: Government Printers. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Kenya News Agency. (2026, July 2). EU-funded resilience programme launched to strengthen peace and security in Marsabit. Kenya News Agency. https://www.kenyanews.go.ke/eu-funded-resilience-programme-launched-to-strengthen-peace-and-security-in-marsabit/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Lwamba, E., Shisler, S., Ridlehoover, W., Sonnenfeld, A., Snilstveit, B., Anda, D., Eyers, J., Langer, L., Kupfer, M., Tshabalala, N., Nduku, P. M., & Grant, S. (2022). Strengthening women's empowerment and gender equality in fragile contexts towards peaceful and inclusive societies: A systematic review and meta-analysis. 3ie Systematic Review, 47. https://doi.org/10.23846/sr00047 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Mahroza, J., Mahatsangy, R. S., & Swastanto, Y. (2023). Confidence building measures among East African Community for strengthening peace in the region. International Journal of International Relations, 1(12). https://doi.org/10.59890/ijir.v1i12.1029 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. McMullin, J. R. (2022). Representation and participation in research on conflict-affected youth: The case of Liberia's commercial motorcycling sector. Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/14678802.2022.2122698 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. Mlade, D., & Mnyavanu, A. (2025). From joblessness to disruption: How unemployment fuels social unrest among youth in Makumbusho Ward, Dar es Salaam. Journal of Governance and Social Sciences, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.59645/jgss.v1i1.599 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. Nesterova, Y., Kim, E. J. A., & Amaglo-Mensah, T. D. (2022). The purposes of education in peacebuilding: Views of local peace actors in diverse (post-) conflict societies. Global Change, Peace & Security, 34(2-3), 103-124. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. Nilsson, D., & Elfversson, E. (2021). The pursuit of inclusion: Conditions for civil society inclusion in peace processes in communal conflicts in Kenya. Cooperation and Conflict, 57(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/00108367211047136 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. Sengati, P. L. (2023). Youth engagement in democratic process and peace building in Tanzania: A study of the 2020 general elections in Dodoma City. African Journal of Political Science and International Relations, 16(2). https://doi.org/10.4314/ajpas.v16i2.43 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. Shilaho, W. K., & Monyae, L. (2024). Kenya's historic Gen Z-led protests: The issues. ACCORD. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

37. Smith, B. J., & Okuto, M. (2023). Keeping the peace? Perspectives from Kenyan practitioners working in applied performance and peacebuilding on project challenges, funding and support. Research in Drama Education: The Journal of Applied Theatre and Performance, 28(3). https://doi.org/10.1080/13569783.2023.2211932 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

38. The Citizen. (2026, June 27). Youth propose eight measures to strengthen peace, security as govt pledges action. The Citizen Tanzania. https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/national/youth-propose-eight-measures-to-strengthen-peace-security-as-govt-pledges-action-5510774 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

39. The New Times. (2026, July 9). Parliament urges review of unity, reconciliation policy. The New Times Rwanda. https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/37242/news/rwanda/parliament-urges-review-of-unity-reconciliation-policy [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

40. UNESCO. (2026, July 3). Transforming genocide memorial sites to places of dialogue and learning for peace in Rwanda. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/transforming-genocide-memorial-sites-places-dialogue-and-learning-peace-rwanda [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

41. United Nations Security Council. (2015). Resolution 2250 (2015) on youth, peace and security [S/RES/2250 (2015)]. https://undocs.org/S/RES/2250(2015) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

42. United Nations Security Council. (2018). Resolution 2419 (2018) [S/RES/2419 (2018)]. https://undocs.org/S/RES/2419(2018) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

43. United Nations Security Council. (2020). Resolution 2535 (2020) [S/RES/2535 (2020)]. https://undocs.org/S/RES/2535(2020) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

44. Wairuri, K., & Kimari, B. (2021). Youth empowerment initiatives, social inclusion and violence prevention: A case study of the Kenya Youth Employment and Opportunities Project. Centre for Human Rights and Policy Studies, 38. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Global Political Economy and Educational Reforms in the Global South: An Evolutionary Study of Ghana
• Electoral Militarization and the Challenges of Free and Fair Elections in Nigeria: A Focus on the 2023 Presidential Election
• Political Awareness and Engagement in Relation to Voting Behavior among College Students
• Role of Community Leaders in Ensuring Secure Electoral Process in Nairobi City County, Kenya
• Assessing the Delivery of Local Disaster Management Services and Client Satisfaction through SERVQUAL Dimensions