Fix local issues to preserve democracy — President Mahama

Democracy defenders At the same forum, the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Bankole Adeoye, called on Africa’s youth to become the “strongest defenders of constitutional democracy” as the continent battled democratic backsliding and insecurity.

Speaking on the President’s behalf at the Third African Union (AU) Reflection Forum on Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Accra last Friday, the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, said governments must address corruption, exclusion, abuse of power, electoral mistrust, insecurity, and failure to improve citizens’ daily lives.

Youth impact Also speaking at the event, Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the AU and Chair of the AU Peace and Security Council for July 2026, Rebecca Amuge Otengo, said the youth of Africa were both the driving force behind instability and the key to solving the continent’s peace and security challenges.