Africa-Press – Gambia. A United Kingdom-based Gambian researcher has expressed concern over what he described as structural barriers hindering meaningful youth participation and leadership in The Gambia’s political system.
Zindi Anthony Levi, who holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from Anglia Ruskin University, made the remarks in an exclusive interview with The Voice.
He says although governments often encourage young people to innovate, volunteer and engage in civic activities, political systems are frequently structured in ways that limit their effective participation.
“High nomination fees, patronage networks, constitutional manipulation and entrenched party hierarchies make it nearly impossible for young candidates to compete on equal footing. Youth wings exist but often serve as mobilizing tools rather than pathways to real leadership,” he said.
Citing developments in Senegal, Mr Levi said the election of Bassirou Diomaye Faye, one of the country’s youngest presidents, demonstrated that young leaders can emerge when democratic space is protected and institutions function effectively.
He contrasted this with situations in Uganda and Cameroon, where long-serving leaders such as Yoweri Museveni and Paul Biya have remained in power for decades. According to him, such prolonged leadership reflects what he termed a “generational imbalance” with consequences for governance.
Mr Levi argued that young people experience challenges such as unemployment, climate change, digital transformation and rapid urbanization most acutely, yet policies addressing these issues were often designed without their meaningful input.
“When leadership does not reflect the population it serves, priorities become disconnected from lived realities. The result is growing frustration, declining trust in institutions and, in some cases, migration or unrest,” he remarked.
He further notes that postponing youth leadership perpetuates the notion that experience is synonymous with age, whereas many of Africa’s independence leaders were relatively young when they assumed leadership roles.
Mr Levi called for what he described as genuine intergenerational governance, emphasizing the need to lower barriers to political participation, reform party structures, enforce term limits and invest in civic education.
He also advocated for the appointment of young people to substantive ministerial positions rather than symbolic roles, and urged leaders to relinquish power when their tenure ends.
