With a month to go towards national elections in Mozambique, ACN in partnership with Youth Parliament Mozambique has held a joint African Youth leadership forum with youth representatives from 13 African countries.

During the dialogue meeting a Social Activist Francisca Noronha stated that despite Africa being a youthful continent, the youths care less when it comes to voting.

“Most African presidents are over 60 years which is unfair! But to talk about the role of the youth in politics means to be arrested.” She said, she urged the youths present to stand up and take an active role by becoming active in politics.

Political Scientist Bonga Merace agreed with Noronhas sentiments as he lamented how youths between the ages of 18-35years present the lowest levels of political involvement in Africa but alluded this to the various restrictions that youths face when they attempt to engage. He encouraged the youths to soldier on to ensure that politics are transparent and inclusive.

Lastly, Journalist Egidie Placido explained that despite youths being the majority population, most of them are used as tools to advance the interests of a few politicians by exchanging their votes for economic reasons which compromise their future.

He urged the young people to be actively involved in the entire electoral process so as to improve their countries.

ACN has committed to equipping local social movements with the dtraining they need to understand the electoral process so as to achieve meaningful change.