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Juja: Young people advised to embrace peace, avoid chaos
04th February, 2026 04:33 PM
East African diplomats have warned young people against being mobilised for violence, saying conflicts driven by youth manipulation often spill across borders and hamper regional development.
The warning was issued in Juja during a regional diplomacy forum that brought together students from Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.
South Sudan’s Minister for East African Community Affairs, Gen. Pieng Deng Kuol, said many regional crises begin with small, politically driven acts of violence before escalating into cross-border emergencies.
“When youth are used for chaos in one country, the whole neighbourhood pays the price through refugees, broken trade, and lost lives,” Gen. Kuol said.
“Refuse to be recruited into violence, especially during elections. Use your energy to build your nations, not destroy them,” he added.
Ethiopian Ambassador to Kenya, Demeke Atnafu Ambulo, said instability in one state disrupts the entire region’s economy and security.
“When a road is blocked in one country, trade is blocked in another. When guns rise in one nation, investors leave the whole region. Peace is not charity. Peace is a strategy,” he said.
Ambassador Demeke also praised Kenya’s role in regional peace efforts, including mediation in South Sudan and Somalia, describing the country as a key hub for dialogue and reconciliation.
Students embrace responsibility
Students who attended the forum said the discussions helped them understand conflict beyond political slogans.
“You hear about war, but today we heard what it does to families, economies, and education,” said Aisha Ahmed, a student from Ethiopia.
Zetech University Director of Corporate Affairs and Marketing, John Mwai, said the institution was committed to nurturing responsible youth leadership.
“The youth have a critical role in safeguarding peace, particularly during election periods,” Mwai said.
“We want them to engage in civic processes responsibly and reject violence as a political tool,” he added.
He said the university will continue partnering with regional institutions to expose students to diplomacy and promote peaceful engagement across East Africa.
