The political crisis in Mozambique has gripped my heart with both outrage and urgency. As someone deeply engaged in politics and committed to the betterment of not just the Southern African Development Community (SADC) but the African continent as a whole, I find myself asking a critical question: Why does it always take so long for our leaders to act?
Mozambique’s contested political outcomes have not only led to civil unrest but have claimed the lives of innocent civilians. This is not just a political crisis; it is a humanitarian one. And yet, the response from SADC and other regional players has been lethargic at best. Why has it taken so long for leaders to step in? Are they stepping in now, only because the inauguration of Mozambique's president elect is just days away, and some feel the need to make it look like they’re doing something?
South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, recently sent his convoy, Sydney Mafumadi to Mozambique to mediate. But why now? Why wait until the situation has spiraled into violence and chaos before stepping up? This delayed response reminds me of Zimbabwe, where citizens have long faced oppression for exercising their political rights and challenging injustice. And what has SADC done there? The same thing they always do: drag their feet.
This is a cycle we see far too often. Governments fail their people, crises erupt, and regional leaders either turn a blind eye or react when the stakes are impossibly high. This is not leadership; this is negligence.
We need new leaders—leaders with energy, vision, and most importantly, political will. Leaders who are not serving themselves but are genuinely committed to serving the people. Young people, particularly young women, must rise to fill this void. It is time to retire the outdated playbook of complacency and replace it with bold, actionable leadership that prioritizes human rights and constitutional development across the region.
Young people represent the largest demographic across Africa, and their voices are indispensable in shaping the continent’s future. It’s young people who have the energy, the ideas, and the resilience to challenge the status quo. But more than that, young people—especially young women—bring a fresh perspective to leadership, one rooted in inclusion, empathy, and justice.
Across Africa, we’ve seen young leaders and movements rising to demand change. Think of the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria or the youth-led advocacy for climate action in Kenya. These movements are proof that young people are not just the future; they are the present.
In Mozambique and elsewhere, young leaders can drive the constitutional reforms we so desperately need. They can push for systems that protect the people, not the powerful. They can advocate for accountability, transparency, and the protection of human rights.
And within this movement, young women must take center stage. Women in politics face countless barriers, from systemic patriarchy to outright violence. Yet, they persist. They persist because they understand what it means to fight for justice. They persist because they know that real change cannot happen without the voices of women at the table.
In the SADC region, we’ve seen trailblazing women stepping into roles traditionally reserved for men, challenging outdated norms, and redefining what leadership looks like. But we need more. More women in parliament. More women in presidencies. More women in every room where decisions are being made.
The crisis in Mozambique is not just a wake-up call; it’s a demand for action. SADC and African leaders must prioritize human rights over political expediency. They must act swiftly and decisively to mediate disputes, protect civilians, and ensure that democracy is upheld.
But beyond that, we must take a hard look at the systems that allow these crises to happen in the first place. It’s time to dismantle the old boys' club of African politics and build a new leadership model—one that is inclusive, progressive, and accountable.
To my fellow young people: the future of this continent belongs to us. It is our responsibility to fight for it, to lead it, and to transform it. To my fellow young women: your voice is powerful, and your leadership is essential. Together, we can create the Africa we dream of—a continent where justice reigns, human rights are protected, and leaders are truly for the people.
The time for change is now. Let’s rise. Let’s lead. Let’s transform.
