By Igweshi Augustine
In Commemoration of 10th Anniversary of UNSCR 2250
Ten years ago, the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 marked a turning point in global peace and security thinking. For the first time, the world formally recognized that young people are not merely passive observers of conflict but powerful partners in preventing violence, shaping peace, and rebuilding societies. A decade later, as we commemorate this historic milestone, it is important to pause, reflect, and ask ourselves: What has truly changed for Africa’s youth? What progress can we celebrate, and where must we collectively do better?
Looking Back: A Decade of Bold Steps and Hard-Won Progress
The Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) agenda was born out of the lived realities of millions of young people whose voices were ignored even though they bore the brunt of conflict. Over the past decade, Africa has taken remarkable steps to institutionalize the YPS agenda.
The African Union Continental Framework on Youth, Peace and Security (2019) provided Africa with its first homegrown blueprint, aligning the continent with UNSCR 2250 while prioritizing Africa’s unique realities. Countries like Nigeria, Kenya, the Gambia, Somalia, and South Africa have developed national action plans that integrate youth into peacebuilding processes. Regional bodies such as ECOWAS, IGAD, and SADC have also made impressive strides in supporting youth-led peace initiatives and early warning systems.
More importantly, African youth have stepped into leadership roles that were previously inaccessible. Young mediators now lead community dialogues. Youth-driven organizations are responding to early warning signals. Young women peacebuilders have become more visible, challenging gender norms and expanding the scope of peace processes. And across the continent, a new generation of peace actors has emerged—resilient, visionary, and committed to transforming their societies peacefully.
The Work We Have Been Doing: Youth Empowerment as a Lifelong Mandate
As someone deeply engaged in the peace and development sector, I have seen firsthand the energy and courage that African youth bring to peacebuilding. Through the Center for Peace Advocacy and Sustainable Development (CEPASD), we have continued to promote the YPS agenda in practical, measurable ways:
Convening Youth and Peacebuilding Actions Series to amplify youth voices for Peace
Training young peacebuilders across Africa.
Hosting intergenerational dialogues that bring policymakers and youth together on equal footing.
Leading peace walks, public forums, and advocacy events in commemoration of the International Day of Peace.
Convening the One Global Peace Summit and youth leadership forums to amplify youth voices at national and international levels.
Supporting community resilience initiatives led by young people.
These experiences have reaffirmed a simple truth: When youth are trusted, trained, and empowered, they do not wait for peace—they build it.
Yet, Many Gaps Remain
Despite progress, the continent still faces deep structural challenges. Many young people remain excluded from decision-making. Funding for youth-led initiatives is still far too limited. Gender inequality continues to shut young women out of critical leadership spaces. In some regions, conflict, violent extremism, and political instability have reversed earlier gains.
What this tells us is that progress is real, but peace is fragile. And unless we deepen our investment in young people, the next decade may look like the last.
Reimagining the Future: What the Next 10 Years Must Deliver
The tenth anniversary of UNSCR 2250 is not just a moment of remembrance — it is a call to rethink what youth leadership can look like in a rapidly changing Africa. As we look to the future, three priorities must guide the next phase of the YPS agenda:
- Meaningful Youth Inclusion, Not Symbolic Participation
Young people must be involved in peace processes from the start, not added at the end. Their expertise should shape policies, negotiations, and reconstruction frameworks—not merely be heard in side events.
- Sustainable Financing for Youth-Led Peacebuilding
Youth can no longer be expected to build peace on passion alone. The next decade must prioritize funding streams dedicated to the YPS agenda—through AU Member States, donors, and private-sector partnerships.
- Strengthening Accountability for YPS Commitments
Both governments and regional institutions must be held accountable for turning commitments into visible results. Progress must be measured through transparent reporting, youth-designed monitoring tools, and accessible data.
- Centering the Leadership of Young Women
Young women have been at the frontlines of peace work for years, yet they remain the most excluded from formal peace processes. The next phase of YPS must be unapologetically gender-transformative.
A Renewed Call to Action
Africa stands at a crossroads. The next decade will determine whether the continent deepens its commitment to inclusive peacebuilding or repeats old mistakes. As youth leaders, peacebuilders, and advocates, we must continue pushing for a continent where every young person has the opportunity to contribute to peace, not just survive war.
For me—and for many of us in the peacebuilding movement—UNSCR 2250 is not just a policy document. It is a reminder that young people are the architects of Africa’s peaceful future. It is an invitation to keep building, keep advocating, and keep believing that peace is possible when youth are empowered.
As we mark ten years of this historic resolution, may we recommit ourselves to the work ahead. May we envision a future where every African youth has the space, the tools, and the support to shape a peaceful world. And may the next decade of Youth, Peace, and Security be defined not by promises but by lasting transformation.
Happy 10th Anniversary of UNSCR 2250
