By Abraham K. Morris, Sr.
Liberian peacebuilding advocate and youth leader Gwendolyn Seyonnoh Myers has been appointed to the African Union Advisory Panel on Democratic Elections and Governance, further elevating Liberia’s presence in continental efforts aimed at strengthening democracy, peacebuilding, and inclusive governance across Africa.
Myers, Founder and Executive Director of Messengers of Peace (MOP)-Liberia, announced her appointment following years of service on several African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) Core Teams, where she served as a Gender and Youth Expert.
Speaking on the appointment, Myers described the new role as both a privilege and a continuation of her longstanding commitment to advancing democratic governance and sustainable peace across the continent.
“I’m honoured to announce my appointment to the African Union Advisory Panel on Democratic Elections and Governance. It is important to serve. The journey continues,” she stated.
The Advisory Panel operates under the African Governance Architecture and serves as a high-level continental platform dedicated to research, policy dialogue, technical engagement, and experience-sharing on democratic governance and electoral processes throughout Africa.
In her new capacity, Myers will collaborate with governance experts, election specialists, policymakers, and peacebuilding practitioners from across the continent to support African Union initiatives focused on strengthening democratic institutions, promoting credible elections, and enhancing constitutional governance and accountability among member states.
The panel also contributes to the implementation of the African Union’s long-term strategic framework, African Union Agenda 2063, widely known as “The Africa We Want.”
Established in 2021 under the AU Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS), the Advisory Panel on Democratic Elections and Governance was created to bolster electoral integrity, deepen democratic governance systems, and provide technical support to election management bodies across Africa. The panel additionally facilitates policy consultations, stakeholder engagements, and capacity-building initiatives aligned with the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.
Myers brings extensive experience in youth leadership, mediation, and peacebuilding to the panel. Since founding MOP-Liberia in 2008, she has led several initiatives promoting non-violence, civic participation, youth empowerment, and community-based conflict prevention throughout Liberia.
Through the organization, she currently oversees more than 1,500 volunteer “Peace Messengers” and coordinates peace clubs in schools across the country aimed at educating young people on peaceful coexistence, dialogue, and conflict prevention.
Widely recognized as a leading advocate within the global Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) agenda, Myers currently serves as an interim member of the UN-Habitat Youth Advisory Board and as Global Chairperson for Youth Empowerment for the G100. She is also the youngest board member of Mediators Beyond Borders International and serves as a trustee for Coalition Peace.
At the national level, Myers was appointed in 2022 as National Youth Coordinator for the Catholic Church of Liberia, further strengthening her influence in youth mobilization and social development initiatives.
Her contributions to peacebuilding and youth leadership have earned her international recognition. In 2019, Time Magazine recognized her among the “Top Eight Young Reformers Across the Globe,” while CARROT CO. named her among the “Top Seven African Women Breaking Barriers in Peacebuilding.” In 2021, she also served as a Peace Ambassador for the European Commission and One Young World.
Academically, Myers holds a Master of Arts degree in Reconciliation and Peacebuilding from the University of Winchester, where she studied as a scholarship recipient of the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa. She is also an alumna of the Center for Women, Faith and Leadership and the Folke Bernadotte Academy Young Mediator Program.
Observers say the appointment reflects growing international recognition of Liberia’s contributions to peacebuilding, democratic governance, and youth leadership development across Africa.
As African nations continue to confront evolving governance and electoral challenges, Myers’ appointment is expected to strengthen youth-centered and gender-responsive perspectives within the African Union’s democratic governance and electoral support mechanisms.
