PAP President Chief Fortune Charumbira Calls for Removal of Barriers to Youth Inclusion at AU Summit

In a powerful call for institutional reform, the President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira, has urged African leaders to move beyond rhetoric and dismantle the structural barriers hindering youth empowerment across the continent. Speaking at the First AGA-APSA Platform Meetings held on 9–10 February 2026 at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Chief Charumbira emphasized that the inclusion of young people in governance is no longer a choice but a democratic necessity.

The meetings, held under the theme “Youth Empowerment for Governance and Regional Integration,” served as a critical precursor to the 39th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly. Chief Charumbira challenged the prevailing “gerontocratic” traditions that often relegate youth to the role of “leaders of the future” rather than active participants in the present. He specifically highlighted that current formal structures and “overly stringent standards” of experience often act as gatekeepers, excluding a massive demographic of capable, digital-native Africans.

“It is time to end slogans and move into the practical aspect of youth inclusion,” the President stated. “Youth are adults in training, and if they are to become effective leaders, their inclusion in decision-making processes must be effected now.” A central pillar of the President’s address was the concept of intergenerational dialogue. He refuted the idea that youth inclusion necessitates a “divorce” from the older generation. Instead, he proposed a multifaceted approach where the current crop of leaders—former youth themselves—act as mentors to bridge the knowledge gap.