A call for education as a lifeline
In Addis Ababa, the Sahrawi Republic joined an open meeting on education in conflict zones hosted by the African Union. The event, held on Monday, brought together representatives from AU bodies, member states, and development organizations to address the fragility of education systems in war and refugee settings.
Ambassador Lamine Baali, representing the Sahrawi Republic, argued that education is not a perk but a basic right. He said it offers children in conflict zones a foundation for dignity, stability, and hope. His remarks focused on the need for sustained investments in education to rebuild societies after war.
Challenges for refugee children
The Sahrawi envoy detailed the barriers refugee children face beyond just poverty. These include exclusion, insecurity, and trauma from war. He noted the disproportionate impact on girls, who often bear the brunt of disrupted education systems and limited opportunities.
Schools in conflict zones are frequently targeted, teachers displaced, and children left without access to learning. According to Baali, the cumulative effect is a lost generation deprived of its chance to develop and contribute.
AU urged to act with practical measures
The Sahrawi Republic called on the African Union and its partners to implement practical steps. These include funding schools in refugee camps and conflict areas, creating safe learning spaces, and offering psychosocial support for teachers.
The representative also urged the integration of refugee children into national education plans and called for better incentives and working conditions for teachers to prevent them from leaving the profession in unstable regions.
Protecting schools from attack and ensuring teachers can carry out their work safely must be a priority in Africa's peace and security strategy, he added. Baali concluded by linking education to peace, noting that empowering refugees through skills and education is a cornerstone for development and stability across Africa.