Envoys from East African countries have urged young people to take the lead in promoting peace and stability across the region, warning that political manipulation and recurring conflicts continue to undermine development and integration.
The call came during a regional diplomacy forum held at Zetech University’s Mangu Campus in Juja, which brought together youth from Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Speakers emphasized that youth are central to building peaceful societies and must resist being exploited to incite violence, particularly during elections.
Participants were reminded that instability in one country can disrupt economies, trade, education, and social cohesion across the region. Emmanuel Kachoul, Chairman of the South Sudan Business Community, said peace is not just a political ideal but a prerequisite for sustainable growth and opportunity.
The forum highlighted Kenya’s role as a stabilising force in East Africa, with speakers praising its leadership in dialogue and reconciliation among neighbours. Leaders called on youth to embrace principled, values-driven leadership, noting that regional cooperation, such as the peaceful Kenya-Ethiopia border, has accelerated development and stability.
South Sudan’s Minister for East African Community Affairs, Gen Pieng Deng Kuol, and Ethiopian Ambassador to Kenya, Demeke Atnafu Ambula, stressed that long-term prosperity depends on a new generation committed to peace and integrity. Zetech University officials noted the forum equipped participants with knowledge on the human and economic costs of conflict, encouraging constructive civic engagement during elections.
