Gambela’s Young Voices Demand a Seat at the Table

On June 28th in Gambela City, young people gathered for the Inclusive Youth Dialogue for Peace & Development (IYD4PD), hosted by Ybuntu, the Center for Youth Rights and Empowerment (CRYE), and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), to discuss the role of youth in building a peaceful and inclusive future. Their message to leaders was clear: listen to us, include us, and invest in us. Through lively discussions, participants shared a vision for their future, emphasizing that they want more than promises—they want action

A Clear Agenda for Change

At the top of their list is political inclusion. The youth called for direct involvement in policymaking and lawmaking, not just as observers but as equal partners. They demanded that government budgets reflect youth priorities, from education to employment programs.

Economic opportunity was another rallying cry. With unemployment being a major issue, especially for youth, participants urged authorities to expand employment and entrepreneurship initiatives. Quality education and training, they stressed, must go hand in hand with these efforts.

Furthermore, the group insisted on more recreational spaces that are youth-friendly and accessible: places to gather, create and build community. Protecting the rights of all young people, including those from marginalized groups, was a non-negotiable demand.

Building Peace Together

Many participants highlighted that youth are key to lasting peace and security in Gambela and beyond. “We cannot build a peaceful future if young people are left out,” is what was mentioned many times. The participants called for meaningful engagement in peace processes and institutional decision-making, underlining that their energy and ideas are assets for stability.

For Gambela’s youth, this gathering was more than a conversation; it was a declaration. Their demands are clear, their voices strong, and their patience for token gestures thin. Now, they say, it is up to policymakers to match words with action and give the region’s next generation the role it deserves.