Kinshasa, May 25th, 2026 (CPA).- African youth were on Monday called upon to become fully aware of their historic responsibility, on the occasion of the celebration of Africa Day in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to a statement from an association consulted the same day by CPA. “On this Africa Day, we issue a strong appeal to African youth and its diaspora: let us fully become aware of our historic responsibility. The Africa we desire will not be built through indifference, division, or speeches without action. It will be built through responsible citizens, visionary leaders, strong institutions, a culture of peace, and sincere commitment to the common good,” the statement from the International Forum of African Youth for Africa’s Development (FIJADA) read. According to the document, African youth are invited to rise above divisions and promote excellence, integrity, pan-African patriotism, and solidarity among the peoples of the continent. “The time has come for African youth to rise above divisions and promote excellence, integrity, pan-African patriotism, and solidarity among African peoples. Our diversity must not be a weakness but a wealth; our differences should not be barriers but opportunities for complementarity and cooperation,” the statement reported. The source stressed that despite existing challenges, FIJADA expressed confidence in the potential of African youth, presented as a conscious, committed, and change-driven generation across the continent.
“For everywhere across the continent, a generation is rising. A conscious, competent, creative, committed, and determined youth ready to write a new page of our common history. A youth that refuses fatality, dares to undertake, innovate, lead, propose solutions, and build bridges where some only see borders,” the document indicated. The statement also reaffirmed FIJADA’s commitment to supporting and strengthening the capacities of young African leaders in order to promote their involvement in the continent’s development. “FIJADA remains convinced that responsible and transformational youth leadership is an essential lever for the continent’s development. This is why we reaffirm our commitment to support, train, inspire, and mobilize young leaders and agents of change, so that they may become artisans of peace, builders of strong institutions, and ambassadors of a new Africa,” the document specified. Finally, Africa Day was presented as an opportunity to revisit the continent’s common history and pay tribute to the pioneers of Pan-Africanism and the Organization of African Unity, now the African Union. “We respectfully honor the memory and vision of the great architects of Pan-Africanism, who understood before all others that Africa’s future would depend on its ability to unite, cooperate, and speak with one voice,” the statement concluded.