MOGADISHU, Somalia – Young leaders from across the IGAD region took the spotlight on Thursday, convening in a high-stakes online summit to reshape the Horn of Africa’s peace and security landscape. Their efforts culminated in a powerful strategic memorandum calling for meaningful youth participation in resolving regional conflicts, with a particular focus on the escalating crisis in Sudan.
The event, titled “Youth Leading Peace and Security in the IGAD Region,” was organized by the IGAD Leadership Academy (ILA) Cohort 2. It brought together policymakers, funding partners, and youth representatives, all determined to address a critical moment in regional stability.
At the heart of the summit was the launch of the “Memorandum by IGAD Youth on the Situation in Sudan.” Far from a simple appeal for inclusion, it presents a concrete roadmap to integrate youth into decision-making at the highest levels of peace and security efforts.
The discussions broke away from outdated narratives portraying youth merely as victims of conflict. In Sudan, where fighting erupted in April 2023 and crippled government systems, young people have emerged as frontline actors—organizing community peace panels, mediating border disputes, and delivering essential aid where official structures have faltered. Summit participants highlighted that this on-the-ground expertise is a vital yet often overlooked resource in formal peace negotiations.
A centerpiece of the memorandum is the analysis of “Loops of Peace.” The document identifies negative loops, where excluding youth breeds frustration and creates openings for armed groups, perpetuating cycles of violence. In contrast, positive loops illustrate how youth-led civic training and community initiatives strengthen resilience and foster stability.
The IGAD Youth didn’t stop at theory—they proposed actionable, time-bound steps to ensure accountability from the Secretariat and member states. The top priority: appointing an IGAD Youth Peace Envoy for Sudan by March 1, 2026. This envoy, a recognized young peace advocate, would serve as a bridge between grassroots efforts in Khartoum and Darfur and IGAD’s senior mediation teams.
Additionally, the memorandum urges the creation of an IGAD Regional Youth Peace Fund to provide flexible, direct support to youth initiatives, bypassing bureaucratic obstacles and empowering those sustaining community cohesion amid crises.
For longer-term governance reform, the memorandum advocates for mandatory youth quotas in peace processes, including 50% youth representation and at least 30% women in all official panels and constitutional reviews across the region—ensuring that the Horn of Africa’s largest demographic helps shape its future.
The summit closed with a clear call for accountability: the IGAD Peace and Security Directorate will track implementation and provide a progress report within six months.
Against a backdrop of climate challenges, protracted conflicts, and humanitarian crises, Thursday’s summit showcased a generation refusing to remain on the sidelines. They’ve presented their vision for peace; now, the region’s leaders must step up and deliver.