By Ebi Kesiena
International Model and Super Star Eric Akoa is advocating for peace in Cameroon as he warned that the country will remain stuck in a cycle of violence and conflicts as long as political leaders continue to prevent youths from participating in politics.
Akoa stated this while delivering a Keynote address at the concluded Young African Leaders Conference, recently.
Eric Akoa, who is famous in Cameroon for sending poor kids to school, added at the leadership meeting on peacekeeping that denying half a population representation in peace negotiations or in government is not the route to long-term stability.
There are many examples around the world of successful and inspiring youths, he said, “but young women and men are still the majority of the victims of war,” over half the world’s refugees, and “the vast majority” of victims of rape and sexual violence.
According to him, If the world accepted the principle that those affected by a problem should be charged with determining a solution, then the majority of the world’s peace negotiators, foreign ministers and diplomats would be young men and women.
“We all know the reality.” He said.
However, the reality star, Akoa added, is that unequal power relations, abuse of power, gender bias, violence and lack of justice have kept many men and women in a subordinate and vulnerable position in Cameroon and internationally.
