Chido Mpemba, African Union (AU) youth envoy has been pushing for climate induced displacements to take centre stage in on-going United Nations’ climate negotiations (COP27) taking place in Egypt.

She led African youth to issue a declaration with 30-point demands mainly focusing on recognition of migration as an adaptation strategy and coping mechanism for youth in climate policies, finance and governance structures.

The 11-page declaration by African youth was issued to COP27 on November 10.

Also read: COP27: African youth issue list of demands

She says that as more people across Africa are forced to abandon their homes and communities due to raging effects of climate change, young people — just like children and women – are disproportionately affected with some taking perilous migratory routes both internally and externally.

She spoke to Rwanda Post’s Johnson Kanamugire about the need to not only attend to youth concerns in the climate debate, but to also involve them in decision making at all levels within the continent and beyond. 

Also read: Youth demand lead roles, funding in drive to fight climate change