Rocky Dawuni speaks on wars across Africa and youth exodus to Europe

Four-time Grammy nominee and songwriter Rocky Dawuni has lamented the growing unrest across Africa, which he says is hampering the continent’s growth.

The legendary musician expressed concern about the prolonged conflict in Sudan, where citizens continue to fight each other instead of resolving their differences to contribute to Africa’s development.

The award-winning artiste also criticised poor governance in African countries, which inflicts economic hardship on citizens and forces many to migrate overseas in search of greener pastures.

‘African music must be the tool for the continent’s redevelopment’ - Rocky Dawuni

Speaking at The Borderless Africa Campus Connect – University of Ghana Edition on March 14, 2026, under the theme “Embracing the Africa We Want,” Dawuni emphasized that transformation on the continent must happen now, not in 2063 as projected.

“Many different interests, a country that is divided, one of the richest, but cannot use its own resources to uplift its people. In Sudan, our own brothers and sisters are turning on each other, fighting among themselves, with interests pulling in different directions and pitting groups against each other. That’s what’s going on,” he said.

The legendary musician continued: “And then, even within our own nations, we see challenges where our youth have lost all hope. Many are travelling across deserts, facing dangers, crossing the Sahara to reach Europe in search of a new dream outside the continent. So, when I look at all of this—the African Union said Agenda 2020, Agenda 2063, meaning the Africa we want. But I feel we must respectfully transform that philosophy into the Africa we need right now.”

Organized by Africans Rising in partnership with the Rocky Dawuni Foundation, this edition of the Campus Connect series brought together student leaders, Pan-African advocates, and cultural icons for a meaningful conversation.

The event featured guests including Rocky Dawuni, Award-Winning Artiste, Pan-Africanist & Cultural Ambassador; Hardi Yakubu, Movement Coordinator of Africans Rising; and Moses D. Kouyo, SRC President of the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC).

SB/AM

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