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AFRICAN UNION


UNION AFRICAINE

UNIO AFRICANA
P.O. BOX: 3243, ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA, TEL.:(251-11) 551 38 22 FAX: (251-11) 551 93 21





BACKGROUND AND CONCEPT NOTE




YOUTH CONSULTATION
TO THE THIRD ANNUAL HIGH LEVEL DIALOGUE ON DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS
AND GOVERNANCE IN AFRICA: TRENDS, CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS






THEME:


SILENCING THE GUNS: AFRICAN YOUTH BUILDING A CULTURE OF
DEMOCRACY AND PEACE




VENUE: NAIROBI, KENYA







DATE: 14 - 15SEPTEMBER 2014





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1.0 Introduction

African Union (AU)organs and institutions that form the African Governance Architecture
(AGA) and its Platform (AGP)
1
are convening the Third High Level Dialogue on
Democracy, Human Rights and Governance focusing specifically on how democratic -
developmental governance can be leveraged to silence Africas blazing guns. As part of
the build up to the Dialogue, the second youth consultation to the High Level Dialogue
on Democracy, Human Rights and Governance will be convened to provide young
people the space to impart, contribute and influence the discourse on how their passion,
energies, insights, creativity and innovation will contribute to the building of a culture or
democracy and peace in Africa to bring an end to conflicts on the Continent.
At the heart of Africas violent conflicts, lies the problem of governance deficits which
has hindered development and triggered violent conflicts on the Continent. Given the
fact that weak democratic governance is part of the structural causes of Africas
protracted violent conflicts, it is imperative that a more sustainable and meaningful
response to violence is entrenched by strengthening governance systems, institutions
and embedding a culture of democracy that works towards inclusive development. The
search for such sustainable and meaningful response must involve and ensure the
active participation of Africas young people which are estimated at over 60% of the
population.
The thematic focus on silencing the guns in Africa for the 2014 High Level Dialogue is
in direct response to the 50th Anniversary Solemn Declaration adopted by the 21th
Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government on 26 May
2013.The Declaration, also marked the beginning of the year-long celebration of the
Golden Jubilee of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and the African Union (AU),
where African leaders committed to ending all wars in Africa by 2020.
2

The AU is cognizant of the significant importance of democratic-developmental
governance as a foundation for silencing the guns on the continent as enumerated in its
various shared values instruments. In this regard, African leaders proclaimed in the 50th

1
Coordination of the High-Level Dialogue is the responsibility of the Department of Political Affairs of
the African Union Commission as the Coordinating Hub of the African Governance Architecture and
its Platform. DPA is implementing this programme in close collaboration with some of its key
partners notably the Government of Senegal, African Governance Institute (AGI)GIZ, Institute for
Peace and Security Studies (IPSS) Addis Ababa University, UNDP and International IDEA.The
African Governance Architecture (AGA) is the overall continental framework for promoting,
nurturing, strengthening and consolidating democracy and governance in Africa. The AGA seeks to
achieve these objectives through among others initiatives facilitating constructive dialogue among
Member States, African Union organs, institutions, Regional Economic Communities (RECs),
African citizens, civil society and other stakeholders on emerging trends, threats, challenges and
opportunities on democratic governance and human rights in Africa.
2
AU2013.50
th
Anniversary Solemn Declaration, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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Anniversary Declaration their determination to anchor African societies on respect for
rule of law, human rights and dignity, popular participation, the management of diversity,
as well as inclusion in development and democracy. Through the Declaration African
leaders have committed themselves to:
i. Strengthen democratic governance including decentralised systems, the rule of
law and capacities of national institutions to meet the aspirations of African
peoples;
ii. Reject unconstitutional changes of government, including through any attempts
to seize power by force but recognise the right of peoples to peacefully express
their will against oppressive systems;
iii. Promote integrity, fight corruption in the management of public affairs and
promote leadership that is committed to the interests of the people; and
iv. Foster the participation of African peoples through democratic elections and
ensure accountability and transparency.
Conflict prevention and post-conflict reconstruction as well as developingstrategic
interventions that are aimed at silencing the guns in Africa by 2020 must be rooted on
sturdy, resilient, participatory, efficient, effective and inclusive governance systems.
Such inclusive governance systems must be premised on a democratic culture that
fosters peacebuilding and development. In other words, its response must be more
comprehensive and should include fostering a culture of efficient and effective
democratic institutions and peace. Overall, a holistic governance response to Africas
violent conflicts should ensure that the culture of efficient and effective democratic
institutions that deliver on inclusive development and peace are inextricably linked.
Democratic-developmental governance,peace and security are intertwined objectives
and indeed two sides of the same coin.In seeking to silence guns in Africa by 2020, it is
therefore critical to enhance synergy and complementarity between the African
Governance Architecture (AGA) and the African Peace and Security Architecture
(APSA) through closer collaboration and coordination in developing and implementing a
feasible roadmap in that regard. This must entail the interrogation of the sustenance
model of effective and efficient democratic institutions and systems of governance that
deliver on their mandate, promote peace, security and development at the national,
regional and continental levels.
Equally important is the need to assess democratic elections and its pivotal role as a
trigger of violence or as contributor to peace processes. Also linked to this is the need to
examine the emerging discourse around the winner takes all approach to governance
on the Continent and the suitability of an all-inclusive governance system as a means
for diversity management. Other issues that require interrogation include the role of faith
based groupings in peacebuilding, the challenge of women and children as instruments
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of war and small arms proliferation. The critical role of young people as perpetrators
(mostly as readily available tools in hands of manipulators), as well as victims portends
great risk for the sustenance of democracy and peace in Africa and thus requires critical
examination. These issues are expected to be covered in the case studies and research
reports to be developed for the Dialogue.
2.0 Conceptual Framework
Upon independence in the 1950s and 60s, Africas democratization record was a mixed
bag, with few countries embracing the culture of democracy while a majority adopted
less democratic methods of governing. In that context a small group of Member States
of the then Organisation of African Unity (OAU) experienced multi-party rule while a
majority were governed through military rule or the one-party rule. At the time there
were more military coups than multi-party elections.

As Africa celebrated the Golden Jubilee of the OAU/AU between May 2013 and May
2014, one of the major achievements of the OAU was the total decolonisation of the
continent. Today, following the transformation of the OAU into the African Union in
1999-2000, the situation has changed significantly with positive progress made with
respect to Africas governance landscape. Since the late 1980s major strides have been
made by African states to democratize their societies. Unlike in the 1960s and 70s,
today, there are more multi-party elections than military coups across the continent.

Following the collapse of the Cold War ideological bi-polarity between the then
superpowers (USA & USSR) and the demise of Apartheid in Southern Africa, Africa is
today experiencing relative peace dividend, political stability and democracy. The three
imperatives of peace, stability and democracy form a fundamental pre-condition for
sustainable human development. However, while inter-state conflicts have reduced
considerably, the continent is still prone to protracted intra-state conflicts. An
understanding of the nexus between democracy, peace and development will help put
this into perspective.
While democracy has intrinsic value in terms of broadening the frontiers of civil and
political liberties, it equally has an instrumental value in promoting socio-cultural and
economic rights. The process of nurturing and consolidating democratic governance on
the continent, relates directly to the extent to which the twin-values of democracy;
intrinsic and instrumental are realized on a more sustainable basis.
The intrinsic value of democracy is measured, among other things, through the quality
of citizens engagement and participation beyond holding of regular, credible and
transparent elections, establishment of effective and efficient democratic institutions and
respect and promotion of human and peoples rights. Democracy must address effective
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realisation of socio economic and cultural rights, gender equality, youth empowerment
and protection of minority rights. The instrumental value of democracy is measured by
the extent to which democracy delivers basic or fundamental needs such as socio
economic rights i.efood, water, health, education, housing, clothing, and
landenvironmental protection particularly to marginalized social groups such as women,
youth and minorities. In other words democracy must put bread on the table and
democracy must compel belligerents in conflicts to lay down their weapons and pursue
peace through mediated negotiations and dialogue. This is more apt in the definition of
development by a Somali Elder of Baidoawho sees development as the satisfaction of
five basic human needs as follows:
First, is water. It is the first thing needed to live. Without it, a plant, an animal or a baby
dies. Second, is food. Without enough of it, life is miserable and short. Third, once water
and food are won, is health-otherwise the human being becomes sick. Fourth, is
education, once a human being has water, food and health he/she needs to learn to
open new horizons and unlock new possibilities. And there is a fifth-peace and order.
Without these none of the four basic needs can be sustained.
3

The above quote depicts a simple but realistic nexus between democracy with
development and peace.
The demographic strength of Africas young people estimated at over 60% of the
African population and the socio-economic as well as political inequality they face
clearly demonstrates the huge gap African citizens experience in terms of enjoying the
instrumental value of democracy. This portends a great risk for the Continents quest for
a peaceful Continent.

The inability of Africas youthful population to enjoy fully and participate effectively in the
socio-economic and political governance of the Continent thus threatens the social
cohesion and political stability of many African countries today. The population of young
people involved and affected in various dimensions by the crisis in Mali, Central African
Republic, South Sudan, and in north-east Nigeria provides a justification for a critical re-
appraisal of the role of young people in conflict situations. Coupled with the increasing
wave of radicalism and extremism, most of these young people have become willing
tools in the hands of militant groups who offer some form of alternate platform to
express their energies in a negative way. Therefore, the failure to create sufficient
economic and employment opportunities as well the space to participate effectively in
the governance of their countries compounds the conflict situations on the Continent.


3
Adedeji, Adebayo. 2006. Democracy and Development: A Complex Relationship, in Matlosa, K.,
Elklit, J. and Chiroro, B. eds. Challenges of Conflict, Democracy and Development in Africa,
Johannesburg: EISA Books, P.23.
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Building a roadmap towards achieving a gun-free Continent must therefore prioritise the
socio-economic and political empowerment of the critical mass of the young people
which continues to grow at an estimated 2.7% annually.

In the absence of a political process allowing them to express their views and produce
policy changes, instability can result, as it did last year in a number of North African
countries. This is an opportune time to reset the policy agenda of African governments
towards an inclusive, employment-creating and sustainable growth strategy, aimed
particularly at addressing the special needs of the young
4
. There must be a continental
strategy aimed at engaging young people in democracy, elections and governance on
the Continent. This must involve a deliberate and methodical strategy of building a
culture of democracy and peace on the Continent with young people playing pivotal
role. In essence, young people must be empowered to play critical roles in socio-
economic development of their societies and particularly in fostering peace building on
the Continent.
Boutros Boutros-Ghali, as UN Secretary-General in 1992 defined peace-building as
medium to long-term processes of building war-affected communities through
identifying and supporting structures which strengthen and solidify peace in order to
avoid relapse into conflict.
5
Essentially, An Agenda for Peace saw peace-building as a
worthy and distinct area of international attention, and conceived of it as the promotion
of activities and structures that reduce the likelihood of violent conflict.
6
Ho-Wong Jeong
equally describes peace-building activities as follows:
Peacebuilding involves a process comprising various functions and roles. It often entails
a wide range of sequential activities, proceeding from cease-fire and refugee
resettlement to the establishment of a new government and economic reconstruction.
The end of violent conflict has to be accompanied by the rebuilding of the physical
infrastructure and the restoration of essential government functions that provide basic
social services. In the long run, stability cannot be achieved without the participation of
former adversaries in a democratic political process and socioeconomic reform
7
.
Accordingly,peace-building entails processes, activities and structures that are meant to
bring about inclusive development.
8
Such inclusive development must create an

4
Promoting Youth Employment (2012) African Economic Outlook Website. Accessed 22 June 2014
5
Curtis, D. 2012. Contested Politics of Peace-Building in Africa, in Curtis, D. and Dzineza, G. (eds)
Peacebuilding, Power, and Politics in Africa, Ohio: Ohio University Press.
6
Curtis, D. 2012. Contested Politics of Peace-Building in Africa, in Curtis, D. and Dzineza, G. (eds)
Peacebuilding, Power, and Politics in Africa, Ohio: Ohio University Press.
7
Jeong, H. 2005. Peacebuilding in Postconflict Societies: Strategies and Processes, Boulder: Lynne
Reinner Publishers, P.1.
8
The extant literature perceives of peace as a varied and variegated concept, particularly, three
framings of peace. Firstly, peace as liberalism in which peace is seen to be pursuit through
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enabling environment for young people to play active roles in the processes, activities
and structures that aim to guarantee peace and security in hitherto conflict situations.
Nonetheless, peace in itself does not necessarily mean the absence of open conflict.
Even without outright war, most societies are confronted with daunting challenges of
structural violence, for instance against women
9
, children and other marginalized social
groups.
Themilitarization of society perhaps occasioned by the high levels of unemployment and
lack of space for effective participation of vulnerable groups including young men and
women in governance processes have continued to influence the conscription of these
groups into radical and fundamental military insurgents. Addressing structural violence
should intrinsically be tied to creating the enabling environment for the enjoyment of the
socio-political and economic rights by young people and other marginalised groups in
development. This will consequently address the catalyst ofcontinued militarization of
the society.
10

Sustainable development cannot be achieved under conditions of conflict (especially
violent conflict) that in turn generates insecurity and political instability. Political
instability erodes democracy. Sustainable human development requires not only a

liberalization including institutionalization of free market, multipartyism and regular elections. As
Curtis observes, in this ideation of peace, multiparty electoral democracy and a market economy
are seen as inherently peaceful and desirable and it is thought that all good things go together.
Peace-building therefore consists of activities and initiatives to help bring about and facilitate this
desired liberal end (Curtis, 2012:10). Secondly, peace as stabilization in which peace-building is
perceived as the creation of stable, secure states with well policed borders. Its emphasis is on
peace as the creation of law and order even if low intensity conflict prevails and even under
conditions of structural violence. Thirdly and finally, peace as social justice which perceives of the
foundations of peace as rooted in social justice rather than liberal governance or stabilization.
Structural violence is the problem to be addressed through peace-building, and peace-building
therefore involves programmes to encourage inclusive access to resources and institutions, to
empower marginalized groups, to end discrimination against women and other disadvantaged
groups, and to redistribute income and land ownership. In other words, peace-building becomes
focused on reaching the condition of positive peace (Curtis, 2012:14).
9
The relationship between peace and war and the role of women in violent conflict situations is
advanced by Amina Mama and Margo Okazawa-Rey (2012). Citing Aretxaga, the two scholars
argue that peace and war are not so much two opposed states of being as they are multifaceted,
ambiguous, mutually imbricated arenas of struggle. Peace does not necessarily entail the end of
violent conflict . Using data from West African case studies including Nigeria, Sierra Leone and
Liberia, they also investigate the position and role of women in war situations and conclude that:
The accumulated evidence of womens involvement in acts of violence against civilians does of
course disrupt outdated but often-reiterated notions of women as inherently more peaceful than
men. However, womens involvement in fighting and killing, as well as in the combat economy, has
costly and long-term social and economic consequences that are yet to be adequately addressed in
post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.(Mama and Okazawa, 2012:117)
10
Mama, A. and Okazawa-Rey, M. 2012. Militarism, Conflict and Womens activism in the global era:
challenges and prospects for women in three West African contexts, Feminist Review, 101, P.116

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democratic setting, but also a peaceful environment. Protracted endogenous and
exogenous violent conflicts in Africa over the last fifty years have not only cost the
continent immensely in terms of loss of human lives, economic retardation and
environmental degradation (including climate change), but they have also postponed
democratization. Evidence abounds suggesting that where development, democracy
and peace are found wanting, marginalized social groups are the hardest hit including
women, youth, minorities, and people with disabilities.
In redressing the current situation and devising durable solutions that ensure the
silencing of guns on the Continent by the year 2020, AGA Platform members are
grappling with inadequate implementation of the AU norms that seek to address the root
causes and triggers of conflicts in Africa. They also face the daunting challenge of
devising durable solutions aimed at prevention, effective management and support to
AU Member States emerging from conflicts to strive towards reconciliation, national
harmony and healing for purposes of nation-building.
An effective response to Africas violent conflicts and political instability has to go
deeper in addressing structural root causes. Failure to address these root causes will
confine Africas attempts to mere window dressing of the symptoms of the problem. It is
therefore imperative that efforts are devised to address the drivers of fragility and
conflict in Africa which include:
(i) Weak state institutions that are unable to exercise authority over their territorial
jurisdictions;
(ii) Given weak institutions, provision of development and services to the people
suffers thereby generating crisis of legitimacy of the state;
(iii) Militarization of society and establishment of military formations as a response to
the lack of articulation of broad based social protection from fear (insecurity) and
want (basic necessities)generating disorder and near-anarchy;
(iv) Exclusion and mismanagement of diversity through, inter-alia, politicization of
ethnic identity and ethnicisation of politics which creates a toxic cocktail for intra-
state conflict; [related to this, is the control and use of the tools of mass
communication
11
by political elites to politicise ethnic identities which may forment
intra-state conflict].
(v) Corruption and lack of accountability which leads to impunity
(vi) Mismanagement of and contestation over natural resources which turns Africas
resource into a curse rather than a blessing for growth and development;
(vii) Environmental degradation and climate change which in turn exerts pressure on
rural communities resulting in violent conflicts between pastoralists and farmers,
inducing displacements and food insecurity;
(viii) Border disputes between and among states;
(ix) Intra-state and inter-state terrorism;

11
E.g. Using State controlled media systems to exclude minorities, marginalise opposition, promote hate
speech, ethnic-based violence, particularly during elections.
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(x) Socio-economic exclusion, inequality, unemployment and marginalisation; and;
(xi) Weak institutional foundations for peace which often leads to a relapse into either
overt or covert war. .
(xii) Colonial legacies and external interference in political transitions and governance
have also triggered conflicts.
(xiii) Budging demographic threat and the nexus with organised crime, illicit arms
trade and terrorism: [60% of youth in Sub-Saharan Africa are unemployed
12
and
are thus susceptible to recruitment by terror organisations and crime syndicates
as the continents growth is not inclusive. In addition, unemployment, poverty,
disease and weak states generate a permissive environment for instability,
13
including dissent, a lack of confidence in elected government susceptibility to
populism and upheavals].
(xiv) Transnational class alliances between political elites which entrench the
preponderance of extractive political and economic institutions
14
; [concentrates
wealth amongst elites, restricts the equitable distribution of rights and privilege;
undermine human development, generate human insecurities i.e. - political,
economic, health, environmental insecurities - thereby formenting dissent and
instability].

3.0 The Goal and Objectives
The main goal of the Youth Consultation to the Third High Level Dialogue is to provide
and present a framework for the effective engagement of young people in democracy,
elections and governance activities on the Continent towards the building of a culture of
democracy and peace on the Continent.

The specific objectives are to:

1. Share evidence-based knowledge and analysis on the root causes of conflict in
Africa and how they can be addressed through appropriate governance reforms;
2. Exchange lessons, experience and best practices on the roles of young people in
fostering accountable, responsive and effective governance in conflict situations;
3. Concretise strategies for effective engagement of Africas young people on the
Africa Governance Architecture and Platform towards silencing the guns in
Africa;
4. Identify entry points for young people in various national, regional and continental
processes towards strengthening democratic governance as a means for silencing the
guns by 2020.

12
See <www.un,org/africarenewal/magazine/may2013/africasyotuh-tickingtimebomb or opportunity.
13
See <www.polity.org.za/article/the-terror-crime-nexus-in-west-africa-relevance-and effects-2014-03-14>.

14
AcemogluD.,& Robinson. J.A.2012.Why Nations Fail: The Origin of Power, Prosperity, and
Poverty. London: Profile Books Ltd.
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5. Present the AGA Youth Engagement Strategy on Democracy, Elections and
Governance in Africa
6. Identify the specific roles of state and non-state actors (especially civil society) as
well as Africas development partners towards strengthening youth engagement
in democratic governance as a means for silencing the guns by 2020.

4.0 Expected Outcomes

Within the overall vision of achieving a democratically governed and conflict-free Africa,
the expected outcomes of the Third High-Level Dialogue will include:

1. Improved appreciation and understanding of the root causes of conflict and
appropriate governance reforms required to address it.
2. Increased pool of knowledge and best practices of youth initiatives that can be
leveraged to foster accountable, responsive and effective governance in conflict
situations
3. Deepened understanding of the roles of African youth in the full
operationalisation of the Africa Governance Architecture and Platform as well as
strengthened implementation strategies for its programmes and initiatives.
4. Improved understanding of the roles young people can play in various national,
regional and continental processes towards strengthening democratic
governance as a means for silencing the guns by 2020.

5.0 Expected Outputs

One (1) Research and Study Report
One (1) Policy Brief
Three (3) Regional Preparatory Meeting Reports
One (1) Video;
Press Releases (Various);
Media Interviews (Various)


7.0 Justification and Rationale

The AnnualHigh Level Dialogue on Democracy, Human Rights and Governance
provides a frank, open and inclusive platform for Member States, AU organs and
institutions, Regional Economic Communities, African citizens, think tanks, civil society,
media, private sector, philanthropists, and development actors to engageand share
comparable experiences and lessons on how to improve governance, consolidate
democracy and foster effective realization of human and peoples rights on the
continent.

The inaugural High Level Dialogue was held in November 2012 in Dakar Senegal and
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focused on the state of governance and democracy in Africa.
15
This was followed by the
second High Level Dialogue in 2013 which focused on enhancing constitutionalism and
rule of law in Africa.
16
At both fora, participants reiterated the need for robust
engagement with stakeholders on strengthening and deepening democratic values and
ideals on the Continent.

In 2012, the first youth consultation to the High Level Dialogue was organised to provide
structured and focused intervention of young people to the theme of the 2012 Dialogue.
Young people in over 14 countries across the Continent took part in various national
consultations to prepare and present their insights on the state of constitutionalism and
rule of law in Africa. This was coupled with an Africa-wide Essay Competition that
received 36 entries from various countries on the Continent. The preparatory
consultations and essay competition culminated into the first ever youth consultation
which was held for two days prior to the High Level Dialogue. At the youth consultation,
participants urged the African Union Commission to develop a Continent wide strategy
for the engagement of young people in democracy, elections and governance
programmes and activities on the Continent. Further to this, participants also called for
the annual convening of youth preparatory meetings to the High Level Trends meeting
as a permanent feature of the yearly DGTrends programme.
17


In furtherance to a key resolution of the inaugural High Level Dialogue to convene the
consultation annually, and a commitment by the Senegalese Government to co-host the
Annual Dialogues in the subsequent year, the AGA members will convene the Third
High Level Dialogue on Democracy, Human Rights and Governance in Africa:
Trends, Challenges and Prospectson the theme -Silencing the Guns:
Strengthening Governance in Resolving Conflicts in Africa.

As a direct response to the calls made by young people in 2013, this years youth
consultation shall focus on developing an AGA Youth Engagement Strategy in
Governance, Elections and Democracy in Africa which aims to ensure that Africas
young women and men can and do participate in the achievement of transparent and
accountable governance in Africa. This will entail a Continent-wide research on Youth
engagement initiatives in Africa and gender perspectives on democracy, elections and
governance. This will be complemented by a survey young peoples impression of
democratic governance in Africa and the roles they can play in fostering accountable
governance on the Continent. As part of the activities to commemorate the International
Day of Democracy, on the 15
th
of September, young people from across the Continent
will adopt the AGA Youth Engagement Strategy in Governance, Elections and
Democracy in Africa and will be officially presented at the opening ceremony of the High

15
See the Key Outcomes of the 2012 High Level Dialogue on Governance Trends at
<http://pa.au.int/en/sites/default/files/Governance%20Trends%20Outcome%20Statement-
%20English%20-30%20November%202012.pdf> accessed 20 May 2014.
16
See the outcomes of the 2013 High Level Dialogue on Governance (www.dgtrends.org)
17
See the outcomes of the 2013 Youth Consultation to the High Level Dialogue on Governance
(www.dgtrends.org)
!$ # ! " # $

Level Dialogue in October. This shall be the major contribution of Africas young people
to the development of the roadmap towards ensuring a gun-free Continent by 2020.

Achieving good governance, democracy and sustainable peace are intertwined principle
objectives of the African Union. The AU has set 2020 as its target for silencingthe
guns
18
in a bid to realize peace dividends among Member States and as part of the
Africa Agenda 2063 framework.
19
Indeed at the 430th meeting of the African Union
Peace and Security Council (PSC) held on 24 April 2014, the PSC devoted discussions
to the theme Silencing the Guns: Pre-requisites for Realizing a Conflict-Free Africa by
the Year 2020.
20
This was followed by a High-Level Retreat on 28-29 April 2014 in
Durban, South Africa, on the theme: Silencing Guns in Africa: Building a Roadmap to a
Conflict-Free Continent, with the intention of exploring concrete options towards
silencing guns in Africa. The overarching objective of the Retreat was to lay a
foundation for the subsequent elaboration of a Roadmap towards a conflict-free Africa.

Both consultations were convened as part of efforts to implement the 50th Anniversary
Solemn Declaration, adopted on 25 May 2013 by the AU Assembly of Heads of State
and Government. The two consultations are part of an on-going process to coordinate
efforts towards concretely living up to the commitments of the AU Assembly. Both
meetings reiterated the need for the identification of the root causes of violent conflicts
on the Continent while calling for a common understanding, definition of, and response
to, the root causes of violent conflicts so as to build consensus on the solutions required
to comprehensively and effectively address them. Importantly, the meetings reaffirmed
the imperatives of good governance, respect for human rights, popular participation and
inclusivity as pre-requisite for deepening the culture of democracy, accountability, peace
and good governance on the Continent.

The 430
th
PSC Open Session stressed on the need for the elaboration of a Roadmap,
to be submitted for consideration by the Assembly, to underpin the actions necessary
for the attainment of the goal of a conflict-free Africa by 2020, and called on all
stakeholders to contribute to this process. The PSC requested the Commission to
prepare the elements of a Roadmap for its consideration.

It is therefore imperative that as part of the on-going process to coordinate efforts
towards concretely living up to the commitments of the 50
th
Anniversary Solemn
Declaration, the Africa Governance Architecture and Platforms flagship governance
dialogue should be dedicated to the discussions around the theme and contribute to the
efforts aimed at silencing the guns in Africa by 2020. This effort should also lay a firm
foundation for the practical synergies and complementarity between the African
Governance Architecture and the African Peace and Security Architecture. This is in line

18
See African Union 50th Anniversary Solemn Declaration, adopted on 25 May 2013 by the AU
Assembly of Heads of State and Government.
19
See Africa 2063 Agenda ( http://agenda2063.au.int/).
20
Press Statement of the 430
th
Peace and Security Council Meeting held in Addis Ababa Ethiopia
on the 24
th
April, 2014.
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with the appreciation of democratic governance as a foundation for durable peace and
stability on the Continent.

8.0 Methodology

The methodology to be followed in preparation and execution of the project will be
highly consultative. Insights and perspectives of young people on engaging democratic
governance processes on the Continent will sought through research and surveys, three
regional consultations to contribute to the AGA Youth Engagement Strategy in
Democracy, Elections and Governance and ultimately the Youth Consultation that will
finalise the draft strategy to be presented at the High Level Meeting.

9.0 Partnerships, Institutional and Management Arrangements

The Third Annual High Level Dialogue on Democracy, Human Rights and Governance
in Africa: Trends, Challenges and Prospects is jointly convened by the African
Governance Architecture (AGA), and the Government of Senegal. It is coordinated by
the Department of Political Affairs (DPA) of the African Union Commission (AUC).
Technical and financial resource support for the High Level Dialogue is provided by the
African Union Institute for Peace and Security Studies, University of Addis Ababa,
African Governance Institute, the United Nations Development Programme, GIZ,
National Democratic Institute (NDI) and International IDEA.

10.0 Documentation

In the interest of protecting the environment, the Third High-Level Dialogue and its
preparatory meetings will to the extent possible, be paperless. Most of the
documentation for the Dialogue Forum will be shared electronically. Very few basic
documents will be reproduced in hard copy. All High Level Dialogue documents and
news updates will be available on the www.dgtrends.org website, twitter @AUC_DPA
hashtag #DGTrends.

11.0 Participation
Participation at youth consultations will be drawn from young led and oriented
organisation across the Continent focused on improving democracy, elections and
governance on the Continent and providing young people the platform to engage
democratic governance processes at the national, regional and continental levels.


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Participation will be by invitation only. Sponsored participants will be provided
support in terms of travel arrangements and Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) for
the duration of the meeting. Self-sponsored participants are required to share their
travel arrangements with the organising/coordinating team.

12.0 Working Languages

The Meeting will be conducted in English and French.

13.0 Dates and Venue

The Youth Consultation to the Third High Level Dialogue will be held at Nairobi,
Kenya on 14 15 September 2014.

14.0 Contact Details of the Coordinating Team

For the African Union

Dr. Khabele Matlosa
Director of Political Affairs,
African Union Commission
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Email: matlosaK@africa-union.org
Tel: +251-11-551-7700 (Extension 2610)
+251-11-518-2610 (DL)
+251-911-23-05083 (M)

Dr. George Mukundi Wachira
Head, AGA Secretariat
African Union Commission
AddisAbaba, Ethiopia
Email: WachiraG@africa-union.org/mukundigeorge@gmail.com
Tel: + 251-11-518-2625 (DL)
+251-939-90-2512 (M)

Mr.Ibraheem Bukunle Sanusi
CSO and Youth Engagement Lead
Africa Governance Architecture and Platform Secretariat
African Union Commission
AddisAbaba, Ethiopia
Email: sanusii@africa-union.org/ibghandi2001@gmail.com
Skype: ibraheem.bukunle.sanusi
Tel: + 251-11-518-2625 (DL)
+251-91-265-7407 (M)