Agboje Chuks
As youth-led protests sweep across Africa, signaling a clear rejection of leaders who cling to power indefinitely, Ambassador Ushi Israel has reiterated that “sit-tightism” was a major factor preventing Africa from reaching its full potential.
Ushi Israel, Executive Director,Global Youth Inclusion (GAYI), emphasized this point in a recent press chat, highlighting the urgent need for African nations to abandon perpetual leadership and embrace open governance.
He explained that GAYI’s mission aligns with the broader Pan-African agenda, aiming to harness youth participation for political, financial, and digital inclusion.
Israel disclosed that this effort directly supports the ambitious goals of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
He lauded Kenyan youth for their resolute opposition to the proposed tax bill, describing their defiance as a vivid illustration of young Africans’ increasing determination to shape their own futures.
Israel maintained that entrenched leadership was a glaring issue, calling for a transition of power from long-serving presidents such as Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Paul Biya (Cameroon), Faure Gnassingbé (Togo), Paul Kagame (Rwanda), and even William Ruto (Kenya), just as he urged them to step aside and facilitate democratic succession.
“The call for open governance resonates deeply across the continent, amplified by various youth-led movements,” Amb. Ushi stated.
He cited significant examples including Nigeria’s #EndSARS protests, the “take it back” post-election demonstrations by Togolese youth, and protests in Mozambique as precursors of what’s to come.
Speaking in the same light, Amb. Israel highlighted the troubling suppression of opposition and youth in Uganda including the recent abductions of Kenyan youth, underscoring open governance as a crucial pathway to social justice.
He asserted that these actions demonstrate that the era of leaders clinging to power against the will of the people was becoming”absolutely absurd”
While encouraging young people to intensify their efforts in strengthening and embedding democratic principles across Africa, Israel emphasized that continental policy frameworks and the aspirations of Africa’s burgeoning youth population were strengths to be leveraged on.
