The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has launched a series of regional consultations in Senegal aimed at advancing the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) agenda. The first session took place in Matam on September 22, 2025, gathering government officials, youth representatives, civil society organizations, and development partners to begin the process of creating Senegal’s National Action Plan (NAP) on YPS.
These consultations are scheduled to continue in Tambacounda and Kédougou. They represent an important step toward increasing youth participation and empowerment as part of efforts to promote stability and prosperity in West Africa. The initiative supports both ECOWAS Vision 2050 and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace, and Security. It also demonstrates Senegal’s intention to include young people centrally in decision-making and peacebuilding.
Opening the meeting, Deputy Governor of Matam Baba Hann said: “The consultations reflect Senegal’s inclusive approach to developing its National Action Plan (NAP) on Youth, Peace, and Security.” He committed to sharing the results with the Presidency of Senegal and encouraged youth throughout the region to participate actively in furthering the YPS agenda.
Constant Gnacadja, Acting Head of the ECOWAS Mediation and Coordination of Regional Political Affairs Division—represented by Arthur Obayuwana—stated: “The Commission’s commitment to promoting youth inclusion in peace and security processes across the region is guided by the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework (ECPF) and draws inspiration from United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250, which recognises the critical role of young people in peacebuilding and conflict prevention.”
Ameth Gueye, Deputy Mayor of Matam, welcomed this opportunity for local youth input into national policy: “Young people in his community can contribute their views and priorities to the National Action Plan,” he said.
Representatives from stakeholders such as the West African Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), local officials, youth leaders, and civil society groups delivered goodwill messages during the event. They confirmed their willingness to collaborate with ECOWAS and national authorities on promoting youth engagement, peacebuilding initiatives, and social cohesion within Senegal.
The Association pour la Promotion du Leadership des Jeunes Femmes et Filles (APELJFF), led by coordinator Simone Diouf with support from youth development experts, facilitated these discussions. Participants worked through breakout sessions focusing on strategic areas including governance; peace and security; employment; economic growth; technological innovation; education; basic social services; inclusion; environment; climate; energy; communication; resource mobilization; and partnerships.
Discussions addressed issues such as human security concerns and socio-economic exclusion affecting young people—factors that increase vulnerability to violence or instability within West Africa. Stakeholders examined how inclusive policies, capacity building efforts, and cooperation between sectors could help address these challenges.
With nearly 70 percent of West Africa’s population under age represented by young people out of over 400 million residents in total, engaging them is considered vital for sustainable development. The YPS programme seeks not only greater involvement from youth but also aims at reducing risks related to recruitment by extremist groups or destabilizing actors.
Results from these consultations will guide drafting Senegal’s National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security. This plan is expected to serve as a reference point for similar initiatives across other countries in West Africa while supporting ECOWAS Vision 2050 objectives for a peaceful region focused on its citizens.