UDF youth want party leaders to hear them out

The secretary general of the United Democratic Front Youth League (Udfyl), Michael Skini, has urged the party’s leaders to listen to the concerns and ideas of its young members.

In a statement issued yesterday ahead of the party’s congress planned for August, Skini outlined the league’s preparations leading up to the congress.
“As for the future of our party and our country, we believe it is our duty to actively participate in the political process and contribute to the development of our society,” he said.

Skini called on all youth members to actively engage in the party congress and make their voices heard.
He urged the youth wing’s branches to finalise their elections by the end of May to meet constitutional requirements, and to not miss out on the opportunity to participate in the party’s top leadership structures.
“We recognise our party is faced with many challenges, both internally and externally. However, we firmly believe these challenges can be overcome through unity, determination, and a commitment to our shared goals,” he said.

Skini also warned against “destructive forces” trying to divide the youth with “unfounded” statements and allegations that the youth leadership is dormant.
He said the youth league is confident that it has done everything within its mandate to get the league back on its feet, especially in the regions where the party is active.
The wing is currently focusing on reaching out to the country’s northern and southern regions.

The youth league’s national executive committee on 7 April held its second-last meeting ahead of the congress.
The purpose of the meeting was to confirm with interim regional coordinators the establishment of youth league branch management, constituency executive and regional executive committees.
UDF president Apius Auchab yesterday welcomed the sentiments of the youth league, saying the leadership will hear them out once they bring their concerns and ideas to the table.

“Because of the democracy we are following, the leaders are obliged to listen to what the youth is saying. But they [the youth league] have never brought their concerns to the table,” he said.
Auchab commended the youth league on reviving its structures.
“As a leader of the party, I fully support and concur with them. They should read the politics of the country and position themselves to be the leaders of tomorrow,” he said.

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