ADDIS ABABA — Young diplomat Cherinet Harifo, who is currently serving as the first Permanent Representative of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to the United Nations, has announced his intention to apply for the position of African Union Youth Envoy, outlining a vision focused on youth representation, inclusion, and grassroots engagement across Africa.
In a public statement, Harifo said his decision to seek the role is driven by a lifelong commitment to public service and advancing the interests of young people across the continent. He described his planned candidacy as an effort to strengthen direct engagement between African youth and continental institutions.
Harifo said he was born in Moyale, a border town between Ethiopia and Kenya, where he grew up in a multicultural environment that enabled him to speak six languages. According to his statement, those experiences shaped his understanding of dialogue, coexistence, and the importance of building consensus across diverse communities.
He also reflected on his experience as a refugee in Kenya, describing it as a defining chapter that exposed him to the challenges faced by displaced populations while reinforcing his belief in the resilience and potential of young people living in vulnerable circumstances.
Harifo said his professional journey has combined grassroots activism with multilateral diplomacy. He highlighted his service as the first Permanent Representative of IGAD to the United Nations, where he worked to amplify youth perspectives in international policy discussions. According to his statement, that experience also revealed the gap between policy making at the global level and the lived realities of many young Africans, particularly displaced youth and grassroots activists.
He argued that the African Union requires leadership that is responsive to the priorities of young people and called for greater youth participation in decision making. Harifo said the role of the African Union Youth Envoy should extend beyond public engagements to include direct interaction with communities, enabling young people to contribute meaningfully to policies that affect their lives.
He further stated that Africa’s youth, including displaced and marginalized populations, are driving innovation and social transformation across the continent and that leadership should reflect their energy, aspirations, and lived experiences.
Announcing his intention to submit a formal application for the position, Harifo said he believes his combination of lived experience as a former refugee and years of diplomatic service positions him to serve as a bridge between grassroots communities and continental institutions. He said his goal is to strengthen youth representation, ensure that the voices of young Africans shape continental policies, and contribute to building a more inclusive future for the continent.
