As the African Union gathers for its annual summit in Ethiopia to discuss the future of the continent’s some 1.4 billion people, frustration is mounting among young Africans.
Set up to "promote the unity and solidarity of the African States," analysts say the African Union is facing a legitimacy crisis among the continent's youth after failing to meet their expectations. African countries are battling military coups, disputed elections and protests inspired by hardship worsened by foreign aid cuts.
Africa has the youngest population in the world with more than 400 million people aged 15 to 35 years old. But it is also home to several of the world's oldest and longest-serving leaders - a paradox that has contributed to an upsurge in coups.
With a young population set to double by 2050, it is the only rapidly growing region where its people are getting poorer. In different countries and on social media, African youths view the AU as a bloc of old leaders and one which sees their interests as less of a priority.
The organization has missed opportunities to be people-centered and citizen-driven and has instead focused largely on governments and leaders, said Liesl Louw-Vaudran, a senior analyst with the Crisis Group.
