CHILDREN OF AFRICA DEMAND ACTION: A CRY FOR PEACE, PROTECTION, AND UNITY

By Precious Mupenzi

•  ⁠The Africa Children’s Summit held in Johannesburg this weekend must not be symbolic; it must deliver change.
• As the summit drew to a close, the delegates at the summit spoke with one voice, calling on the continent’s leaders to act on their proposals.
• ⁠Delegate after delegate spoke out against the systemic marginalisation of children and the lack of genuine inclusion in policymaking throughout Africa.

With raw emotion, urgency, and unwavering resolve, child delegates from across the continent sent a powerful message of solidarity to the children of the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, as the Africa Children’s Summit drew to a close in Johannesburg today.
Their words were not just reflections, they were a plea for action, accountability, and recognition from the leaders of Africa.

In their final deliberations on 7 April 2025, the delegates expressed deep concern over the plight of children caught in the crossfires of conflict. They decried the systematic violation of children’s rights – including access to education, healthcare, shelter, and sanitation – particularly in war-torn regions.
“So, what I want to say is that I think the African leaders do not understand how much of a cost they are putting on our continent,” said one delegate. “They are depriving children of their right to education, health, and clean water – all under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. But if they continue killing all the children, who will lead their countries in the future?”
The young speaker, her voice filled with heartbreak, warned that continued violence and neglect could erase entire nations.

“We will no longer hear about South Sudan; we will no longer hear about Democratic Republic of Congo. We will all be history. Everyone is either dying or running away. Who will remain to build the future?”
Her statement was echoed by others who called on African leaders to act with urgency, compassion, and unity.
Another delegate questioned why the continent remained so undivided. “As much as we are children of Africa, I feel that Africa is so divided, not united. If we were united, why would some countries be so under-resourced, with poor infrastructure, while others have more than enough?”
Throughout the hybrid summit, delegates spoke out against the systemic marginalisation of children and the lack of genuine inclusion in policymaking.

Not just an African issue

Another delegate offered a broader perspective: “This is not just an African issue. Globally, children are perceived as having no value in society or government because of our age.
“But this summit has shown that we do have value. We understand the issues. We have ideas. But unless governments shift their attitude towards children, we will always be shunned and excluded.”
He stressed that recognition must begin at the top. “Governments need to value us. That’s when we’ll be prioritised during conflict, when we’ll be asked to contribute to national discussions, and when our rights will no longer be ignored.”

As country leads presented their outcomes, delegates unanimously agreed that children must be protected from harm and that laws must be changed urgently. They demanded that African presidents not only take their voices seriously but also act on their proposals.
“The presidents should begin a joint effort and propose a new strategy,” a delegate said, “and they must ensure every child is protected. After this summit, they must address all the issues we have raised, and we must receive feedback on the demands we have made.”
One of the key demands was access to quality education for all children, regardless of geography or background.

Delegates emphasised that solutions to Africa’s challenges require collaboration and solidarity among nations. “Countries must work together to solve continental problems and act as a community. This is how we build a better future.”

The young leaders called for a clear timeframe for action and accountability.
“We must know that we have been seen, heard, and valued,” said one child. “This summit must not be symbolic – it must be a turning point.”
As Africa’s future stood tall behind the microphones in Johannesburg, one thing was clear that these young voices are no longer asking to be included. They are demanding it with purpose, with unity, and with love for a continent that is theirs to shape.