By: Peter Emmanuel |
The African Union (AU) and the Government of Burundi are set to convene the 5th Continental Dialogue on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) and Women, Peace and Security (WPS), with a focus on strengthening the role of young people and women in conflict prevention and peacebuilding across the continent.
The three-day dialogue, scheduled to hold from August 10 to 12, 2026, at the Kiriri Presidential Palace in Burundi, will be held under the theme, “Water, Peace and Inclusive Leadership in Africa: Institutionalising the strategic role of youth and women in conflict prevention, crisis management and sustainable peacebuilding through responsible resource governance.”
The meeting will bring together African leaders, policymakers, youth representatives, women peacebuilders, regional organisations, civil society groups and international partners to discuss ways to deepen inclusive participation in peace and security efforts.
It will be held under the high patronage of Burundi’s President, Évariste Ndayishimiye, who is also the AU Chairperson and AU Champion for the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda.
The dialogue aims to review progress made in implementing the YPS and WPS agendas while addressing emerging challenges linked to climate change, water insecurity and conflict across Africa.
Dialogue Focuses on Inclusive Peace
The AU said the meeting will provide a platform for stakeholders to assess Africa’s peace and security situation while identifying practical steps to strengthen youth and women’s participation in decision-making processes.
Discussions will focus on improving collaboration between governments, regional bodies, civil society organisations and development partners to create stronger frameworks for peacebuilding.
The dialogue will also examine how responsible management of natural resources, particularly water, can contribute to preventing conflicts and promoting sustainable development.
Participants are expected to explore ways of integrating youth and women into formal peace and security structures, recognising their contributions at community levels.
The meeting will feature participation from AU officials, including Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Amb. Bankole Adeoye, representatives of the AU Peace and Security Council, members of the Panel of the Wise, and other continental stakeholders.
Water, Conflict Link Takes Centre Stage
A major focus of the dialogue will be the relationship between water insecurity, conflict and peacebuilding, as climate-related pressures continue to affect communities across Africa.
The AU noted that limited access to resources and poor governance can increase tensions, with young people, women and girls often facing the greatest impact.
However, the organisation also emphasised that youth and women are important actors in addressing these challenges through community initiatives, innovation and peace efforts.
The discussions will seek to identify policies that promote inclusive resource governance and strengthen the role of communities in managing shared resources.
The dialogue aligns with the AU’s theme of the year on water sustainability and its flagship initiative, Silencing the Guns, which seeks to address conflicts and promote lasting peace on the continent.
Youth, Women Lead Peace Efforts
The fifth edition of the dialogue will also promote the implementation of the Continental Framework on Youth, Peace and Security while strengthening cooperation between the YPS and WPS agendas.
Stakeholders will discuss successful youth- and women-led peace initiatives, identify challenges limiting their participation and develop strategies for greater inclusion in peace processes.
The event will bring together representatives from youth networks, including African Youth Ambassadors for Peace, the Pan-African Youth Union, African National Youth Councils and youth civil society organisations.
Women peacebuilders from networks such as FemWise-Africa and the Regional Women’s Forum of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region will also participate.
The dialogue will conclude with a continental communiqué containing recommendations and commitments aimed at strengthening youth and women’s leadership in peacebuilding, resource governance and Africa’s wider peace and security agenda.
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