YOUTH AND GUNS: WEST AFRICAN YOUNG LEADERS GATHER IN ABUJA TO DEMAND PEACE, CALLS FOR ARMS SILENCING.
By Raymond Enoch
In a powerful and urgent appeal to end gun violence and armed conflict across the region, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) hosted the Youth Creative Conference 2025 on October 2nd and 3rd at its headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria. Themed “Silencing the Guns,” the landmark event drew hundreds of young changemakers, activists, and leaders from across West Africa to confront the region’s growing insecurity and shape a new vision for peace.
The two-day forum, organized in collaboration with the African Union and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Youth Development, provided a dynamic platform for youth to engage in policy discourse and creative action toward achieving a gun-free West Africa by 2030.
Representing the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, Mr. Piex Joseph Ahoba, Head of Small Arms, delivered a strong message underscoring the indispensable role of youth in building durable peace. “With over 60% of our population under the age of 25, the youth are not just leaders of tomorrow—they are the heartbeat of today’s peace and security efforts,” he declared.
Adding gravity to the occasion was the presence of H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, African Union High Representative for Silencing the Guns, who lauded both Nigeria and ECOWAS for their regional leadership. He issued a clarion call to governments and institutions to invest meaningfully in young people, not merely as beneficiaries of peace but as architects of it. “Africa’s youth are a strategic asset, not a security threat. The goal of silencing the guns by 2030 is not a dream; it is a demand—and it starts with empowering the youth,” he affirmed.
The conference comes at a critical juncture for West Africa, where gun violence, political instability, and the proliferation of small arms continue to pose major threats to development and human security. Participants at the forum shared ideas, stories, and artistic expressions—from spoken word to digital campaigns—each one echoing a collective desire to reclaim their future from the grip of violence.
As the event concluded, one thing was clear: the youth of West Africa are no longer waiting for peace to be handed down. They are creating it, demanding it, and leading it—one voice, one vision, and one act at a time.
