The continental student organization, the All-Africa Students’ Union, has challenged African government to desist from using young people for mischievous partisan political activities. The Union says African governments should instead, positively engage the youth in the search for a lasting solution to debilitating problems such as extreme poverty and hunger, HIV/AIDs, Malaria and other diseases plaguing the people of Africa. Addressing a roundtable media conference to mark this year’s International Students’ Day which fell on August 12, the newly elected Secretary-General of AASU, Mr Fred Awaah, said the hunger and starvation currently ravaging Somalia and other countries was a collective stain on the conscience of African leaders. He said if African governments partnered with the youth in a constructive manner, enough food could be produced to feed the people. Mr Awaah said the exploitation of the energies and exuberance of the youth for dishonourable political purposes must cease. Read below the full statement presented by the AASU Secretary-General.