Blaise-Kizito C. Ndukwe

LAKE CHAD SECURITY: AU Lauds Armed Forces' Role In Maintaining Regional Peace, Stability The @_AfricanUnion has commended the Contributions of the Nigerian military to the Peace and stability of the Lake Chad Basin Region. The African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador @Bankole_Adeoye, gave the commendation after a two-day High-Level Policy and Security Forum on repositioning the multinational joint task force in Abuja. youtu.be/pKxqGs5Fpnk?si=grmL… via @YouTube

As part of the @_AfricanUnion Reform process, the High-Level Consultative Forum on Strengthening the Functional Performance of the African Union Peace and Security Architecture (#APSA) has opened in #Abuja, 🇳🇬, bringing together senior African leaders, former Ministers, AU officials and distinguished experts, 8–9 October 2026. The Forum provides a platform for strategic reflection on how to make Africa’s peace and security architecture more effective, responsive and fit for purpose.

Russia 🇷🇺 #IWFY2026-Kickoff!!! The @_AfricanUnion delegation was present at the International Festival of Youth 2026 (#IWFY2026) in #Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation, from 11–17 September 2026. The delegation is led by Ambassador Calixte Aristide Mbari, Head of Democracy, Elections and Constitutionalism Division (AU PAPS). It will remain in the country for a peer learning visit during the 18–20 September 2026 parliamentary elections.

Keynote Statement By H.E. Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, African Union High Representative For #SilencingTheGuns, Side Event of The Youth Creative Consortium (YCC) 2.0 at the 5th Continental Dialogue on Youth, Peace And Security and Women, Peace And Security, Bujumbura, Burundi: #Youth4Peace peaceau.org/en/article/keyno…

H.E. Dr. Edouard Bizimana, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Development Cooperation, Republic of Burundi 🇧🇮, at the Youth Creative Consortium (YCC) Conference on #SilencingtheGuns on the sidelines of the 5th Continetal Dialogue on Youth, Peace and Security and Forum on Women, Peace and Security, in Bujumbura, Burundi, welcomed participants and among others, commended representatives of political parties in attendance. He reflected on author Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s, “Moving the Centre. The Struggle for Cultural Freedoms”, and moved for African, particularly African youth agency on changing the paradigm and positioning Africa at the centre of the international community including through positive narratives to enhance perceptions, against the “pathological dimension of Africa” which includes conflicts, violence, sickness, towards an Africa that is rich in human and natural resources, among others. Central to his discourse was the critical need to organise- that is, improving state efficiency, leadership quality and capacities, among others- and the need to sustain Africa’s positive image. #Youth4Peace

Today , the #AUPSC, considered progress made in the implementation of the #AU Master Roadmap of Practical Steps to @STGinAfrica. Mtg chaired by Amb. Mohamed Khaled of #Algeria and #PSC Chairperson for August 2026, followed by introductory statement by Amb. @Bankole_Adeoye, @AUC_PAPS. Council received briefings from Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, #AU High Rep. for @STGinAfrica, and Amb. Liberata Mulamula, AU Special Envoy on Women, Peace & Security, as well as statements from representatives of @UNOAU_ and the #RECs/#RMs. Council underscored the need to revitalize and further strengthen #Africa’s conflict prevention, management & resolution tools, while scaling up efforts to ensure predictable, adequate and sustainable financing for AU peace efforts. Council further emphasised the importance of comprehensive, integrated and holistic approaches to addressing the structural root causes, drivers and factors that fuel and sustain violent conflicts in Africa. It called for concerted action by all strategic actors, including within the #APSA–#AGA framework, to ensure the effective implementation of the #AU Master Roadmap. Council requested the @_AfricanUnion, in collaboration with African think tanks and centres of excellence, to urgently undertake an evaluation of progress achieved thus far, identify challenges requiring urgent attention, and submit innovative recommendations to Council ahead of the next Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly.

Commissioner @Bankole_Adeoye at the Second Youth Creative Consortium (YCC) Conference on #SilencingtheGuns on the sidelines of the 5th Continental Dialogue on #Youth, Peace and Security and Forum on #Women, Peace and Security, in Bujumbura, Burundi 🇧🇮, advanced the imperative of #SilencingtheGuns as freedom from want, conflict, and underdevelopment, as well as respect for fundamental human rights. He called for strengthening the inclusion of youth, women and children to achieve the StG agenda. He highlighted the importance of human security, peacebuilding, post-conflict reconstruction and development, reconciliation and sustainability, as an indispensable spectrum of the StG. He argued that #Silencingtheguns is not just a slogan or motto but a flagship program of #Agenda2063 for peace, security, stability and development. Commissioner Bankole commended the Youth Creative Consortium and urged youth across Africa to be smart partners of the AU #Youth4Peace Agenda and #Silencingtheguns champions to achieve the aspirations of AU Agenda 2063.

Panel 1: #Silencingtheguns: Early Warning Mechanisms and Strategic Resource Response at the Second Youth Creative Consortium (YCC) Conference on #SilencingtheGuns, on the sidelines of the 5th Continental Dialogue on Youth, Peace and Security and the Forum on Women, Peace and Security, was held on 11 August 2026 in Bujumbura, Burundi. The Panel emphasised that Silencing the Guns requires a shift from reacting to violence towards identifying and addressing the conditions that precede it. Resource scarcity, unequal access to water and public services, unemployment, economic exclusion and declining trust were identified as important early-warning indicators. Communities, particularly young people, women and children, often recognise these risks before formal institutions but lack the authority, resources and reporting pathways required to initiate a response. The panel therefore called for community-owned early-warning systems that are directly linked to accountable early action. It further underscored the importance of entrepreneurship, skills development and youth-led platforms as non-kinetic approaches to prevention. Effective action requires partnerships that combine community knowledge and youth creativity with the mandates, financing and technical capacity of governments, the AU, universities and the private sector. Lead Speaker: • Ms Victoria Ihetughe, Head of Technical YCC Discussants: • Prof Rashidah Funke Olanrewaju, Director of Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC), Nasarawa State University; • Mr. Kumi Patrick, AU Youth Ambassador for Peace, East Africa; • Mr. Timothy Mugisha, YCC Continental Chairperson; • Ms. Nguemo Grace Igbabdul, Youth Creative Consortium. Moderator: Ms. Hope Kacheri, Youth Expert

PANEL 2: Strengthening Synergies between the YCC, WPS and YPS for #Silencingtheguns at the Second Youth Creative Consortium (YCC) Conference on #SilencingtheGuns, on the sidelines of the 5th Continental Dialogue on Youth, Peace and Security and the Forum on Women, Peace and Security, on 11 August 2026 in Bujumbura, Burundi. The Panel emphasised that stronger synergies among YCC, WPS and YPS require institutional cooperation, meaningful participation and sustained investment in youth- and women-led action. The panel distinguished between consultation, participation, influence and leadership, noting that young people and women are increasingly invited into policy spaces but do not always possess the authority or resources to shape decisions. It called for an intergenerational and localised approach that connects continental frameworks with community-level peacebuilding, economic empowerment, disarmament, social cohesion and conflict prevention. The panel also stressed that youth participation must be supported by dedicated and accountable financing, stronger coordination among institutions and organisations, and measurable implementation. Overall, Silencing the Guns was framed as requiring not only policy alignment but also practical opportunities for young people and women to exercise leadership, secure livelihoods, and contribute directly to peace and security. #Youth4Peace #Women4Peace Lead Speaker: • Mr. Vincent Umeadi, Director General of YCC Discussants: • Dr. Josephine Nwaelugo - Coordinator, Gender Women, Youth and Children (GWYC) – PAPS – African Union Commission; • Ms. Lavina Oluoch, YPS Lead at Search for Common Ground; • Mr. Zabulon Sindayigaya, Director General, Youth Economic Empowerment program; • Mr. Samuel Okechukwu, YCC • Mr. Kumi Patrick, AU Youth Ambassador for Peace, East Africa; Moderator: • Mr. Deve Amado